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SELECT 👉 Bay Oval commentary
Mitchell reveals what he told McRae during exit meeting
Nicholas Quinlan • October 25th, 2025 3:11 pm
Tom Mitchell has revealed what he said to Collingwood coach Craig McRae during his exit meeting, where he found out that he was delisted.
The 2018 Brownlow Medallist was told that his services were no longer required at the club, with that decision being publicly announced last Saturday.
The midfielder managed to play 36 games for the black and white across three seasons, with the bulk of those coming in their 2023 premiership-winning year.
However, injuries would ultimately get the better of him throughout the last two seasons, leaving him unable to play at the AFL level.
While it can often be the case that some players get bitter towards their coach when they’re not featuring in the first team, that wasn’t to be for Mitchell.
The former Swans and Hawks player was quite complimentary about his relationship with McRae, going on to say that he was the best coach he had worked with.
“He is the best coach I’ve ever had,” Mitchell said on SEN WA Breakfast.
“And that’s coming from someone who wasn’t getting picked. I think when players don’t get picked, you can always be a bit salty.
“But from a character point of view, I couldn’t have appreciated the way he handled my personal situation any better, and I’m sure other guys would say the same thing.
“He’s got so much respect for how he treats people, and I felt that genuine care even through times where I felt that I should have been playing.
“I actually said to him in his exit meeting that other than my Dad, he’s probably had the biggest impact on me in terms of someone that I look up to as a mentor and who I want to be as a man and as a person.
“I couldn’t speak highly enough of him.”
Mitchell is still hopeful of playing in the AFL for the 2026 season, having declared that he wants to play for what would be a fourth club to help pass his knowledge on to younger players.
“I still think my body is in great condition. Experience sometimes you can’t buy," he explained.
“If I do get a fourth club, it would be the opportunity to give back. I’ve learnt from the game's greats, and I have a good knowledge, and I hope to pass these things on.”
For more of his wide-ranging chat with Tim Gossage and Scott Cummings, press the play button below.
