Sam Mitchell had a contract clause that would have seen him play on at Hawthorn in 2018

SAM Mitchell’s Hawthorn contract contained a “very achievable” trigger to play on in 2018, at odds with the club’s assertion it could not guarantee his future

Sam Mitchell after Hawthorn’s semi-final loss. Picture: George Salpigtidis

SAM Mitchell’s now defunct 2017 contract with Hawthorn contained a “very achievable” trigger to play on again in 2018, which is at odds with the club’s assertion it could not guarantee his future beyond the end of next season.

The Herald Sun can reveal that Mitchell, traded in a shock move to West Coast, and his management believed they were effectively signing a two-year deal when the parties came to terms earlier this season.

He signed the deal well before the club’s other uncontracted veterans on effectively the same financial footing as his previous deal. That was a reflection of his outstanding start to the season, which resulted in him winning a fifth best-and-fairest.

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But in a complete shift in strategy the Hawks approached Mitchell and Lewis post-season to discuss their futures, despite both having contracts for next year.

As a result the Hawks’ top two finishers in this year’s Peter Crimmins Medal are now gone, with Mitchell agreeing to a one-year deal with the Eagles and Jordan Lewis traded to Melbourne.

In explaining the move in a video message to club supporters, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said he could not guarantee Mitchell or Lewis would be required players after the 2017 season.

Sam Mitchell tries to escape Sam Menegola. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“It’s very, very hard to retire players,” Clarkson said. “We approached both those guys and said, ‘We can’t guarantee you beyond 2017. Do you want to explore opportunities that might create greater longevity, albeit it at another club’.”

While Mitchell was overseas and could not be contacted, the club’s assertion would almost certainly come as a surprise, given Hawthorn’s commitment to him in June.

Judging on the fact Mitchell has not played less than 14 games in a season since his debut year in 2002, that trigger clause meant he would have almost certainly played on in 2018.

Mitchell was happy to forego the same clause for 2018 in his new West Coast deal, from which Hawthorn will pay a portion of his wage.

West Coast and Mitchell have agreed on an assistant coaching deal, believed to be for at least two years, following his playing career, where he will work alongside Eagles coach Adam Simpson.