THE PROSPECT of Fremantle choosing Ryan Crowley for a shock return "means very little" to Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell as he prepares for Friday night's preliminary final clash in Perth.
Crowley's 12-month doping ban ends on Thursday, and the Dockers have confirmed he is in the mix to be recalled despite not playing a game this year.
And he could return to take on Mitchell, who gathered 39 disposals in the Hawks' only meeting with the Dockers this season in round 15.
Mitchell said he had not prepared any differently for the chance of the long-time run-with player being picked against the Hawks despite his absence in 2015.
"Every week there's some discussion about players being in and out, and I know that it is a sexy story from a media point of view, but it does really mean every little to the players of either team I'd imagine. It's really the coach's role, not mine," Mitchell said after being named All Australian for the third time in his career on Tuesday night.
"My job is to prepare my mind as best I can to make sure I'm ready to play, regardless of whether that's on Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Lachie Neale, Michael Barlow, Nick Suban or Ryan Crowley.
"There's so many players who can be your [opponent] and you're probably going to spend bits and pieces on all of those guys. You do the same due diligence that you do every week."
The Hawks were far too strong in Launceston earlier this year, winning by 72 points to inflict the Dockers' second defeat of the season.
The three-time premiership player said little could be taken from the last contest between the teams ahead of this week's preliminary final.
"We have quite an intricate stoppage structure and I think a lot of people are going to talk about that game because it's the only time we've played them this year," Mitchell said.
"But they were three games clear on top of the ladder…and were probably not playing for much.
"I wouldn't be reading too much into that game. I think the motivation level [then] is probably not quite as high as playing in a prelim on your home deck when, and if you win, the reward is obviously great."
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