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Live sport on SN this weekendHawks coach on Lewis, King rumours, Kenny and his own contract
Andrew Slevison • July 24th, 2026 12:35 pm
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was always confident of keeping Mitch Lewis.
The key forward signed a four-year deal to remain with the Hawks until the end of 2030 despite interest from rival clubs, including Collingwood.
Was Mitchell ever worried that Lewis would leave?
“No, not really,” Mitchell said on SEN’s Fireball.
“The list management guys said it was tracking the way that they wanted it to.
“My understanding was that he was very keen to stay so I’m pleased it got done.”
With Lewis staying, veteran Jack Gunston signing a one-year extension and the presence of Calsher Dear and Mabior Chol, there is a stacked key forward cohort out at Dingley.
Throw in the potential recruitment of Gold Coast’s Ben King and there would be five to the floor to worry about fitting in next year.
But Mitchell would not be drawn into the King rumours.
“Don’t just slip the Ben King one in because he plays for Gold Coast,” he laughed.
“Our job is to get as many good players in as we can and then work out how to play them in a system that will create a lot of goals, and stop a lot of goals.
“TBC.”
Facetiously, David King said: “Box Hill will be strong.”
Mitchell replied: “You’re just harping. What else you got?”
Regarding his own contract, Mitchell insists things are going well and it won’t be too long before he puts pen to paper.
He is currently contracted with the Hawks until the end of 2027.
“We’ve had a bit on,” he said further.
“It’s going along smoothly. I told you Mitch Lewis was going along ok and this is very much similar.”
Mitchell also commented on Ken Hinkley getting the job as inaugural Tasmania Devils coach.
It comes after Hinkley cheekily told Jack Ginnivan, who is out of contract next year, to text him when asked about pursuing players on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters during the week.
“He’s had his day in the sun, he’s the enemy now,” Mitchell joked of Kenny.
“I must admit I do enjoy Kenny. I know a couple of people that know him well and they speak very highly of him and his pragmatic nature.
“‘We’re going to be coming after players and of course I’m going to be a big part of that’ - I do enjoy the pragmatic nature.
“As long as he goes after everyone else’s and not ours. He can’t have our ‘Ginni’.”
He was also quizzed on Hinkley entering the rooms of clubs on game day in his media role now he’s got the Tassie job.
“Yep (I would),” he said when asked if he’d have a problem with that.
“I don’t like that.”
Mitchell’s Hawks, who currently sit third on the ladder, take on Essendon at the MCG on Saturday.
Listen to the full chat with 'The Genius' below:
