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Why Pies premiership player deserves another chance
Andrew Slevison • November 12th, 2025 12:45 pm
Tom Mitchell is intent on finding a fourth AFL club following his Collingwood delisting.
The 32-year-old former Sydney and Hawthorn midfielder was let go by the Magpies last month after three seasons and 36 games in black and white.
2018 Brownlow Medallist Mitchell, who insists he is not retired, would love to be offered an AFL lifeline by a club who could use a clever and dedicated inside midfielder.
He put forward his case to Gerard Whateley on Wednesday.
“I’ve still got plenty left in the tank and the body feels great,” Mitchell said on SEN’s Whateley.
“I’m only 32 so I feel as though there’s plenty left to give and I would love to help out another team again.
“It would be a fourth team which is pretty unique in this day and age, you don’t see too many four-club players.
“But I’d like to think that over my career when I have been given an opportunity, whether it be Sydney to Hawthorn, Hawthorn to Collingwood, that I’ve taken those opportunities.
“I guess what I can bring is experience. I’ve seen the highs and lows of footy whether it be winning big games, losing big games, going through tough periods individually, going through high periods.
“Being able to share those experiences as well as bringing some real intelligence and high footy IQ on-field is where I could really help a team.”
Mitchell, who starred in the 2023 premiership with the Pies, was sidelined for much of 2024 with nagging foot issues but was able to string together some solid footy in the second half of 2025 which led to his AFL recall.
He played four senior games for the Pies and was not included in their finals campaign, but he insists his body was back to its best.
“The perception out there is that I’m injured or injury-prone,” he added.
“But 2024 was a write-off, I missed most of that season, but from April this year I haven’t missed a beat with training or games and even since the season finished I’ve continued to train and stay fit.
“I’m feeling really good and there’s still plenty left to give. I would loved to have played more than four (AFL) games. I think I played the last 15 games in a row (including VFL), and I’m feeling really good so I’m hoping to get another crack at it.”
One of Mitchell’s quartet of AFL outings in 2025 was a 29-disposal effort against Richmond in Round 20 for which he received two coaches votes.
But he was dropped the next week and only played once more in the Round 23 loss to the Hawks.
So, does he think he was harshly done by with his axing?
“Potentially,” he replied. “At the same time I understand there is a perception around Collingwood being old and slow, and potentially that came into the decision making.
“On the contrary to that, that was something I was a bit frustrated by internally. I didn’t express that externally because I had to focus on being a good teammate, not complaining and coming in with a good attitude.
“I think that just goes to show that in the back end of the year I played some really strong footy. It’s given me a lot of confidence this off-season that if I do get another opportunity I’ll be ready to take it.”
Mitchell will meet up with his manager Tom Petroro next week and go through all the possibilities in front of him.
“Worst case is potentially nothing happens,” Mitchell said.
“I’d like to think that at minimum I get an opportunity to train with a club and showcase how I go about it and how I prepare.
“My training and preparation will speak for itself if I do get an opportunity.”
The 207-gamer and two-time All-Australian says he hasn’t thought too far ahead in regards to playing elsewhere if an AFL chance does not arise.
He will become a father in March so that will take up a lot of his focus.
“The goal and the aim is to get another opportunity and I think I can give that a real good shake up,” he added.
“I love playing footy, I’d love to continue playing footy and we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
