Sam Mitchell claims his fifth Hawthorn best-and-fairest ahead of Jordan Lewis
SAM Mitchell’s Hawthorn crown received yet another jewel on Saturday night with the superstar midfielder taking home his fifth Peter Crimmins Medal.
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SAM Mitchell’s Hawthorn crown received yet another jewel on Saturday night with the superstar midfielder taking home his fifth Peter Crimmins medal.
Mitchell, 33, moved past four-time winners Jason Dunstall, Shane Crawford and John Kennedy Sr.
Only the legendary Leigh Matthews – who collected eight between 1971 and 1982 – has won more Hawthorn best-and-fairests.
Mitchell’s honour capped another brilliant season after he celebrated game No.300 and again led the Hawks in the Brownlow Medal to equal Gary Ablett as the AFL’s all-time leading vote getter.
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Jarryd Roughead attended the count at Crown Palladium and his teammates were privately confident the superstar forward would return to the field next year.
Roughead, 29, is 16 weeks into a 12-month course of immunotherapy treatment on four cancerous lung spots.
Best mate Jordan Lewis said the pair roomed in Brisbane for his 250th game and the Hawks enjoyed a few beers after the win.
Despite being in “a pretty bad way” after treatment, Roughead saw Mitchell before he celebrated his 300th game in Round 18.
“He showed what sort of guy he is, he didn’t want to miss out on anything special,” runner-up Lewis said.
Coach Alastair Clarkson admitted it was “more than likely” Brad Hill had played his last game for the club, with the triple-premiership wingman bound for Fremantle.
Outgoing football boss Chris Fagan addressed the players before the count after accepting Brisbane Lions’ senior coaching position.
Clarkson thanked Fagan as well as head of development Rob McCartney, who is returning to Shepparton.
The coach said the Hawks were “brave but ultimately not good enough” in September after crashing out in straight sets.
But Clarkson signed off with a warning: “Get ready, we’re coming in 2017” with the club expected to add free agent Tyrone Vickery, Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara in the next two weeks.
Like Clarkson, captain Luke Hodge said how proud the Hawks were to be a destination club.
It was an experienced podium with Lewis and Shaun Burgoyne rounding out the top three.
Burgoyne was named Hawthorn’s best finals player.
Mitchell’s five Crimmins medals have come either side of his four premiership seasons.
He has won flags in 2008 (as captain) and 2013-15 and best-and-fairests in 2006, 2009, 2011-12 and 2016.
The silky onballer also has three All-Australians – in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Mitchell sits No.3 on the Hawks’ games record after overtaking Crawford in Round 23 this year.
His 307 appearances sit behind only Matthews (332) and Michael Tuck (426).
Mitchell and fellow veterans Luke Hodge and Gibson have all signed on for 2017.
Mitchell is the only player in the game’s history to record 30 disposals in 13 finals.
Matthews this year backed Mitchell to play beyond next season and said he was now in the ilk of modern greats Michael Voss, James Hird and Nathan Buckley.
“You would’ve thought he could’ve been (Diesel) Williams’ son,” Matthews said.
“There’s nothing special about them athletically. They’re not breakaway midfielders who take off with the footy and break lines … but they find the ball and keep making the right decisions.
“I think he almost 100 per cent of the time makes good decisions with the ball.”
Former coach Peter Schwab said Mitchell belonged in the Hawks’ best five players of all time.
Schwab rated only Matthews, goalkicking great Peter Hudson, Knights abd Dunstall in front of Mitchell, the most prolific ball magnet of the past 15 years.
“His influence is immense. A phenomenal player whose influence doesn’t seem to be diminishing,” Schwab said.
HAWTHORN AWARDS
Best Clubman: Isaac Smith
Best First Year Player: Kaiden Brand
Best Player in Finals: Shaun Burgoyne
Most Consistent: Grant Birchall
Most Promising Player: James Sicily
SUPER SAM
Sam Mitchell’s finishes since claiming his first of five medals
2016 - 1st
2015 - 3rd
2014 - injured
2013 - 3rd
2012 - 1st
2011 - 1st
2010 - 3rd
2009 - 1st
2008 - 2nd
2007 - 5th
2006 - 1st
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