Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Netball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Important SN update for SouthlandThe steps Brownlow Medallist has taken to prolong Collingwood career
Andrew Slevison • July 2nd, 2025 2:16 pm
Tom Mitchell has worked hard on his body in a bid to prolong his career at Collingwood.
The 32-year-old has not played at AFL level since Anzac Day last year due to a glut of frustrating foot injuries.
But the 2018 Brownlow Medallist has worked his way back into contention with a string of solid VFL performances which has him on the verge of an AFL return.
Mitchell has averaged almost 23 disposals and more than eight tackles in seven VFL outings, highlighted by 29 touches in last weekend’s gritty away win over Southport.
The 2023 premiership player is a strong chance to be recalled by Craig McRae for Friday night’s clash with Carlton at the MCG and admits he is in a great spot both physically and mentally.
“I feel great. We still have to wait for team selection but my body feels great,” Mitchell said on SEN Breakfast.
“I’ve strung together seven games in a row and I’m feeling really, really good physically and mentally.
“I’m in such a good space. It’s funny, when footy gets taken away from you you forget how much you do love it.
“So, I’ve just been loving playing again. Although it has been at VFL level there’s been so many good things to come from it.
“I feel like I’m in great physical condition and ready to go whenever my name is called.”
Mitchell has transformed his body over the past 12 months.
He has taken on some different eating habits and gained inspiration from Magpies teammates to go leaner which has helped him reinvigorate his career.
“When you’re put under the pump a little bit, which I was with injury for over 12 months, you have to go within yourself and find where you can take your sacrifices to a new level,” he added.
“I was always pretty good with diet but I compare myself to guys around the club like ‘Pendles’ (Scott Pendlebury) and these guys and what they’re doing, I’m like, ‘Ok, here’s something that might be 5 or 10 per cent that I could be doing a lot better’.
“I’ve made some big inroads in that space and a number of other spaces as well, which I think will hold me in good stead for the back-end of my career.”
The former Sydney and Hawthorn midfielder provided some further detail while revealing how Carlton captain and good mate Patrick Cripps has been an important sounding board for him.
“Doing my own research is important. We’ve got a great nutritionist, Jo (Joanna Shinewell), at the club who we’ve done plenty of work with,” he continued.
“Patty Cripps is actually a great person to talk to in this space. He looks after himself so well. With the work we do with Ball Magnets we’re always having conversations.
“Some details you might find interesting is some intermittent fasting. So on lighter training days actually reducing eating and not eating until 11 or 12. That’s something that has worked for me to lean me out.
“Just some little strategies like that where I do feel leaner and lighter and covering the ground well.”
So, what has he had to sacrifice on the road to an impending AFL return?
“I used to be big on the Barbecue Shapes back in the day, so they’ve had to take a back seat for a while,” Mitchell laughed.
After more than 14 months off the AFL scene, the 203-gamer could be back against the Blues this Friday night as the Pies strive to go 14 points clear on top of the ladder.
