Key stats:

AFL games: 14

Disposals per game: 16.6

Rebound 50s per game: 2.4

Marks per game: 4.7

Pressure acts per game: 9.7

Season summary:

After managing just nine VFL games across two seasons since joining the club as Pick 29 in the 2020 national draft, Mitchell produced an incredible turnaround in 2023. One of the feel good stories of the year, the 21-year-old emerged as a dashing half-back flanker after being delisted and re-selected in the rookie draft at the end of 2022. After featuring among Box Hill's best early in the season, Mitchell deservedly made his long-awaited AFL debut in Round 5. Once he came into the seniors, Mitchell became a consistent performer, averaging 16.6 disposals across his 14 appearances, including five games where he finished with 20 disposals or more. He snagged a rising star nomination in Round 17 and signed a two-year deal to cap off his break-out year.

Best AFL game:

Mitchell’s break-out game came against Melbourne in Round 9 where he finished with a career-high 27 disposals and eight marks. Showcasing his elite speed and line-breaking ability from half-back, Mitchell’s performance earned him Hawthorn’s fan-voted MVP award for that week.

How the coaches saw him:

“Seamus had a really good year. He came from nowhere. He started playing some consistent footy at VFL level at the start of the year off the back of missing a big chunk of the pre-season. Every week he just kept showing up in the VFL’s best players, so when it came to Round 5, we had to get him into the AFL team because he was continually getting his job done and playing at a really high level. Once he came into the seniors, he was ultra-consistent, he provided plenty of run and speed, and we got to see his kicking ability at speed. He was also really good in the contest, whether that be at ground level or in the air. We’re really excited to see him have a big off-season and pre-season. I think he could be a really damaging attacking half back next year.” – Kade Simpson