Five players who could replace Tom Mitchell at Hawthorn in 2019
HAWTHORN needs to find a stopgap for injured star Tom Mitchell — fast. Here are five players from outside the AFL who could help the Hawks survive the Brownlow medallist’s 2019 absence.
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When the news broke that Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell had broken his leg at training last week alarm bells rang over Hawthorn’s aspirations heading into 2019.
Mitchell fractured the tibia and fibula bones in his left leg in an innocuous training incident on Friday, ruling him out of the upcoming AFL season.
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The new pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) provides the opportunity for clubs to bring in an injury replacement from second-tier leagues for players ruled out for the season.
NICHOLAS D’URBANO looks at five players Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson could use to replace their star man.
Michael Gibbons
Popular Williamstown star Michael Gibbons has high credentials in the VFL and would be a like-for-like replacement for Mitchell.
The reigning two-time JJ Liston Trophy winner was overlooked in the draft after averaging 28 disposals, seven clearances and 6.5 inside-50s last year, leading the Seagulls to the preliminary final.
Gibbons is also being courted by Carlton as a potential replacement for star Sam Docherty, who tore his ACL in December and will miss the entire 2019 season.
Should both clubs seek to secure the 23-year-old, it would create a silent bidding war, with Gibbons having the final say.
Jye Bolton
If Plan A was to fall through, Plan B could be just as fruitful with this Western Australian bolter.
Rookie-listed by Collingwood in 2011, Bolton failed to feature in a senior game before being delisted at the end of the season when Nathan Buckley succeeded Mick Malthouse as the Magpies coach.
Since then, Bolton has had a momentous career across the Nullabor, winning two Sandover Medals at Claremont as the WAFL’s best and fairest player.
The strongly built inside midfielder averaged 30.8 disposals a game in 2018 along with 5.3 tackles and 3.7 marks as he staked his claim for an AFL lifeline.
A number of AFL clubs showed interest in the 26-year-old, but he was ultimately overlooked in the draft.
He meets the criteria of a ready-made midfielder at senior level who could replace Mitchell.
Mitch Grigg
If a VFL or WAFL gun who is unproven at AFL level doesn’t tick the right boxes, the Hawks could look to a player with experience at the highest level.
Mitch Grigg played 20 games for the Adelaide Crows from 2012-16 before he was delisted, joining Norwood in the SANFL and winning back-to-back Margarey Medals.
The 26-year-old presents a tantalising prospect for the Hawks with his ability to go forward and impact the scoreboard — he booted 36 goals from 20 matches, six of those in the SANFL Grand Final to go with his 31 disposals, five marks and six inside-50s. He’s a big-game player.
Grigg could form a solid midfield-forward tag team with recruit Chad Wingard.
Kieran Lovell
If the Hawks want someone who knows the system and could seamlessly fit into Alastair Clarkson’s plans, enter Kieran Lovell … or re-enter.
The Tasmanian, who was drafted by the Hawks in 2015, played two games in 2016 before enduring two injury-riddled seasons and being delisted at the end of 2018.
The recruitment of Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara at the end of 2016 hindered Lovell’s growth due to lack of opportunity at senior level, but he has become a prolific ball-winner at state level and the 21-year-old could provide the chopout the Hawks need.
Lovell has returned to Tasmania and has signed to play for boyhood club Kingborough in the Tasmanian State League.
Nathan Freeman
A left-field option with plenty of risk, given the former Magpie and Saint’s well-documented injury issues.
Nathan Freeman was taken at pick No.10 in the 2013 draft, but suffered persistent hamstring issued and never played a game for Collingwood.
He moved to St Kilda in 2016 and finally made his AFL debut — in Round 20 last season — before being delisted after just one more appearance.
He had meetings with the Gold Coast Suns but was overlooked in the draft and has signed for VFL side Frankston.
The 23-three-year-old still has the raw talent to make it and showed glimpses of his best at VFL level throughout 2018 as he managed to string together some consistent football.
Ex-teammates rave about Freeman’s professionalism and the versatile inside or outside midfielder — if healthy — could be a stopgap for the Hawks while Mitchell recovers.
Freeman still wants to play at AFL level and Hawthorn has a storied history with rejuvenating injured players and it could be a masterstroke if they were to sign Freeman and get him on the park, fit and firing.
He may just have the most talent of the lot.
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