Tom Mitchell’s impact extended beyond the field, spending time with young supporters throughout the day as the Cats secured a memorable win.
Tom Mitchell set Rutherglen’s Barkly Park alight on Saturday with a vintage display to help the Cats overcome a determined Beechworth team and grind out a tough win.
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In a one off outing since retiring from the AFL last year, the Brownlow Medallist and premiership star put on a clinic as he continually fed the ball to the Rutherglen players.
Tom Mitchell, the son of former Sydney, Collingwood and Carlton player Barry Mitchell, played for the Swans, Hawks and ‘Pies in a career spanning 14 years and 207 games. He can now add a best on ground game for Rutherglen to his resume.
Rutherglen Co-coach Reed Bonat said the team got off to a slow start against Beechworth, with scores tight at the main break in a low-scoring game, but it was great to have someone of Mitchell’s ilk to distribute the ball.
“We knew they were going to bring a tough game, Beechworth always do,” Bonat said.
“We addressed a few things at half time, and we knew we needed to bring a really high intent to that second half so we could get a win with Tom while he was here, which we did.
“He was fantastic, really selfless; he was always looking for a Cats player to get the ball to.
“Having someone with his experience at AFL level playing at your club, you can’t buy that.”
Co-coach and player Reed Bonat, one of Rutherglen’s best on Saturday, fires out a handball to Tom Mitchell.
Photo by
Ian Johnson
Mitchell, a Carlton supporter when he was growing up, said it was great fun coming up to play for Rutherglen and he’s looking forward to hopefully coming back one day.
“I love country footy, it feels like it's got a real atmosphere about it,” Mitchell said.
“Everyone comes down from the town, the canteen is always full, the crowd's always big, and everyone gets right into the game.
“It's all about trying to get back to these clubs.
“Reed's a good friend of mine, and he was great out there today, played unbelievably, and he's a great coach, a great leader of the club.
“We teed up a while ago that we'd have a game together, so it was good to come here and help the club get a win.”
Tom Mitchell had the ball on a string on Saturday, directing traffic for the Cats and finishing best on ground against the Bushrangers.
Photo by
Ian Johnson
Mitchell, the son of former Sydney, Collingwood and Carlton player Barry Mitchell, played for the Swans, Hawks and ‘Pies in a career spanning 14 years and 207 games.
He won the Brownlow Medal playing with Hawthorn in 2018 and achieved ultimate glory during his stint with Collingwood, taking out the 2023 AFL premiership.
“It's a childhood dream I've had the chance to live out,” Mitchell said.
“We're fortunate to play at the top level and achieve some great things, especially the premiership.
“My fitness isn’t too bad; I still train a few times a week, just not as much as I used to.
“When you play at the top level it's quite brutal, quite serious, so it's been good to play for people at the moment.
Tom Mitchell was all about the fans at Saturday’s match between Rutherglen and Beechworth, catching up with the Auskick kids at half-time and making himself available for photos after the game.
Photo by
Ian Johnson
Mitchell’s biggest impact on Saturday, aside from his influence on the game and last-quarter goal that effectively sealed the win, was with the fans, particularly the young ones.
He spent time with the Auskickers during the half-time break and was readily available for a chat and a photo throughout the day, even spending an hour before the game talking with a young fan from Beechworth.
“Hopefully one day (I’ll come back),” Mitchell said.
“My grandparents come from Yarrawonga, which isn’t far, so we always came up as kids.
“I’ve really enjoyed it here.”
Beechworth tried in vain to keep Tom Mitchell quiet.
Photo by
Ian Johnson
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