AFL news 2023: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell in New York hospital with pneumonia

Sam Mitchell’s family trip to the US has taken a sudden turn with the Hawthorn coach in hospital after coming down with an illness three days before Christmas.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is recovering from a bout of pneumonia which landed him in an overseas hospital for Christmas.

Mitchell was admitted to New York University Hospital three days before Christmas and was last night expected to remain in care for at least a few more days.

The 41-year-old had been travelling in the United States with his wife Lyndall and their three children when he came down with the illness.

Hawthorn has been in touch with Lyndall and has offered its support.

“Importantly, Sam is improving and recovering well,” Hawks chief executive Ashley Klein said.

“The club has been in regular contact with Lyndall, and we will obviously continue to provide support in any way we can.”

Sam Mitchell spent Christmas in a New York hospital. Picture: Michael Klein

None of Mitchell’s family have experienced symptoms.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs which is usually caused by bacteria or a virus and causes inflammation which can make it difficult to breathe.

In his second season in charge of Hawthorn this year, Mitchell steered the Hawks to seven wins as they finished 16th on the ladder.

The young side is being widely tipped to climb the ladder next season and has been bolstered by off-season recruits including Jack Ginnivan, Jack Gunston, Mabior Chol and Massimo D’Ambrosio.

Mitchell was a four-time premiership player with the club and was a joint winner of the Brownlow Medal in 2012, as part of a playing career which spanned 329 AFL games for Hawthorn and West Coast.