SEAMUS Mitchell says four-time AFL premiership coach Alistair Clarkson was one of the first to get in touch after his name was called out at pick 29 by Hawthorn at Wednesday night’s AFL draft.
The talented Robinvale Euston utility was watching at home in Robinvale with his sister and parents, just waiting in hope for his name to be called and it was the modern day powerhouse in the Hawks who took the punt.
“Alistair Clarkson messaged me straight after, and Jeff Kennett the president and a few of the players gave me calls and that sort of stuff,” Mitchell told Sunraysia Daily.
“It was pretty full-on straight away, pretty hectic. I was a bit nervous but it was great to talk to them.
“To be playing under (Clarkson), he’s one of the best coaches in the league, there’s obviously a great culture at the club as well.”
The new Hawk said the club had kept their cards close to their chest in the lead-up to the draft.
“There were a few interviews they had with me and they did hit up a few other people for vision and everything so there was a little bit (of interest) , but I really wasn’t expecting it,” Mitchell said.
The draftee said there were plenty of nerves on the night as he doubted whether any club would pick him.
“I was getting pretty nervous to be honest. I didn’t know if I was going to get picked up or not,” he said.
“I was shocked (when Hawthorn made their selection), I just stood there and stared at the TV for a few seconds, I was a bit overwhelmed I guess, and then just bloody excited.”
Mitchell was worried a knee and ankle injury suffered last week at his final training with Robinvale Euston may have cost him, but fortunately for him that wasn’t the case.
Parents Alison and Dean were in tears, happy to see their son’s dream to make the AFL realised.
“I’m pretty stoked, I was pretty speechless, I wasn’t really expecting it.
“It’s just an unreal experience.
“I was up at 1am trying to respond to all the messages and everything, so there wasn’t too much sleep.”
Mitchell was on the road to Melbourne today to spend a week at the club and start finding his feet before the Christmas break.
