Tom Mitchell hospitalised after horror pre-season mishap
Reigning Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell looks likely to miss the entire 2019 season after suffering a broken leg at pre-season training.
The Hawks superstar suffered the injury during a drill as the club returned to training at Waverley Park for their first session of the new year.
He will undergo surgery and isn’t expected to return this season, indicating the severity of the injury.
Ambulance was on surface at Waverley Park 30 or so min ago, @7NewsMelbourne all over it as .. major fears for Tom Mitchell.
— Mark Stevens (@Stevo7AFL) January 11, 2019
“For Tom to suffer an injury like this is incredibly disappointing for both him and our footy club,” Hawks football boss Graham Wright said in a statement.
“He will undergo surgery over the weekend and, as a result, will most likely miss the 2019 season.
“However, Tom is a very resilient young man and we have no doubt that he will tackle his rehab with the same professionalism and diligence with which he approaches his training.”
The 26-year-old midfielder polled 28 votes to win the AFL’s greatest individual honour in 2018.
Mitchell, who also won the AFL Players’ Association most valuable player award, averaged a league-high 35.7 disposals and 7.9 clearances per game during the home-and-away season and ranked third for contested possessions.
The ball magnet tipped the 50-disposal mark twice, including a record 54-disposal outing against Collingwood in round one.
@HawthornFC Players huddle at Waverley Park after Tom Mitchell is taken to hospital with a broken leg @7NewsMelbourne pic.twitter.com/YUtaVdfEQR
— Jacqueline Felgate (@Jacquifelgate) January 11, 2019
with AAP