2018 Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell is open to a fresh start at a fourth club after being delisted by Collingwood.
The midfielder was plagued by injuries across the last two seasons, only playing 10 games after his heroics in the 2023 grand final.
The 32-year-old admitted he wasn’t shocked by the delisting, given the Magpies were the oldest team of all-time in 2025 and his injury struggles, particularly with his foot.
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Tom Mitchell at the 2025 Brownlow Medal. Getty
“I wasn’t surprised (by the delisting) to be honest,” Mitchell told SEN on Friday.
“You get to the back end of the season when you’re not getting picked but playing well, it seems funny. But that’s footy, things don’t always go your way.
“The narrative around Collingwood having an aging list was intentional to move a few of the older guys out. (Mason) Cox, me, (Brody) Mihocek, then (Will) Hoskin-Elliott retired. There’s a group of us.
“That narrative was real and you could see how it was unfolding as the season progressed.
“Obviously I’m upset and disappointed, (but) I have taken great pride in what I have done.
“I made a promise to myself that I would carry myself as best I possibly could, I was not going to sook.
“When I played VFL, I said I would support the young guys and I received a message from every younger player (after the delisting). It was special from a character point of view to get those rewards because it was intentional.”
Tom Mitchell, the 2018 Brownlow Medallist. Â Wayne Ludbey
Mitchell pitched why a fourth club should throw him an AFL lifeline, saying he believes he can squeeze more out of himself while bringing invaluable experience.
“I still think my body is in great condition. Experience sometimes you can’t buy,” he said.
“If I do get a fourth club it would be the opportunity to give back. I’ve learnt from the game’s greats, and I have a good knowledge and I hope to pass these things on.
“When he (my manager Tom Petroro) is back the word is he will meet with all the clubs and assess what interest is out there. I am open to anything, and I have a couple of great years left in me.”
When asked specifically about a potential leadership role at West Coast, Mitchell was enthused by the idea.
“West Coast would be amazing. They’re a proud big club and I have family and friends there,” he said.
Mitchell spent his teenage years in Perth, playing for Claremont in the WAFL.
The Eagles were briefly linked with St Kilda captain Jack Steele in a similar capacity during the trade period. He ultimately joined Melbourne.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae. Getty
Despite being the man who delisted him, Mitchell couldn’t be more thankful to Collingwood coach Craig McRae, who he elevated above other coaches he has served under, including both Alastair Clarkson and John Longmire.
“He is the best coach I’ve ever had,” Mitchell said.SEN WA Breakfast.
“And that’s coming from someone who wasn’t getting picked. I think when players don’t get picked, you can always be a bit salty.
“But from a character point of view, I couldn’t have appreciated the way he handled my personal situation any better, and I’m sure other guys would say the same thing.
“He’s got so much respect for how he treats people, and I felt that genuine care even through times where I felt that I should have been playing.
“I actually said to him in his exit meeting that other than my Dad, he’s probably had the biggest impact on me in terms of someone that I look up to as a mentor and who I want to be as a man and as a person.
“I couldn’t speak highly enough of him.”
Mitchell played 207 career games for Sydney, Hawthorn and Collingwood across his career, playing in the Pies’ 2023 premiership, winning the 2018 Brownlow medal and making All-Australian teams in 2017 and 2018.
He won three best and fairests during his 106 games with Hawthorn.