Universal Love Mitch Duncan - 300 AFL games

[Art Vandelay_]

Given today's injuries **** it. Going early. No chance he's dropped.

The precise moment this footy fan fell in love with Duncan as a footballer and what a ride its been watching Mitch. Truly blossomed as a player not long after this season and became one of the best outside midfielders in the comp, unfortunately not receiving the external recognition he should have with how shit AA selections are to certain positions. But I digress.

Really developed as a player during the period where Bartel, Chapman, SJ, Corey etc were starting to get phased out and retired and that period just after Dangerfield's arrival he formed one of the best midfield trio's in the comp. Having a teammate replicating a brownlow year with virtually a 30 and 2 per game season robbed Mitch of what would have been a well deserved BnF. A truly elite season.

Silky user of the footy.
Good family man.
Controversy free career with scarcely a blemish on the record.

Well done to Mitch on a fine career and a very deserving addition to this great footy club's '300 club'.

 

[nomoreklondikes]

Truly excellent kicks are pretty rare even at the top level. Has been a pleasure to watch.

 

[JoeyJoJoJuniorShabadoo]

Kicked a goal in each of the 3 Grand Finals he's played in. 3rd Quarter goals in both 2011 and 2022.

 

[thegerman]

He’s been such an amazing player for us. Can’t understate his effort and commitment to contribute through 300 games.

To get to that level, through the draft, it’s lottery winnings type of stuff. He’s been an exemplary servant to the club.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

One of the goodest players for the club.
Not quite at the greatest levels, but the tier below.
Been a fantastic servant of the club and the community and to his credit is powering to 300 games when most of us expected him to be gifted these last handful as he limped to the finish line.
Looks in great nick and playing seriously good football all things considered.

 

[goyoucatters]

It's been a fantastic career, all things considered. Has been an absolutely quality player at a truly outstanding club over pretty much the entire length of his career.

The longevity is exceptional. His field kicking has often been competition-best. And he has clearly been an absolutely excellent clubman through it all. As is exemplified by how he's fronted up this year, ready to go and ready to contribute in whatever way he can.

For a player who's been so close to stacks more personal accolades in the game, I'm really pleased he's going to crack the 300 and consequently join absolutely elite company at our football club. For that honour is richly, richly deserved.

Deepest congratulations to our Mitch. Nobody will ever wear the #22 quite like he did.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Echo what others have said about his career. I do wonder about the 'optics' of if you make someone sub in their 300th. The dogs will play quick and high octane and you do wonder if he can back up a full game off 5 days and an interstate trip. But we will see. Regardless he's has a wonderful career and been a gun.

 

[Commando]

I know we are struggling with personnel at the moment but is there any merit in holding off until Perth for this?

 

[cats_09]

 

[craffles]

Underrated for his entire career outside of cats fans and a genuinely good guy from all reports.

Congrats Mitch, huge achievement!

 

[Strange Cat]

Been so many 300 games players for the club in the last 20 years , glad Duncan is one of them and under Scotty’s development too

Hopefully Blitz is next which is remarkable too

 

[NakedDeadGuy]

At one time I reckon he was among the very best in the game at nailing shots at goal on the run. Duncan gets it at half forward, running goalwards put down your glasses. Has been an excellent player for a long time, well deserved milestone.

 

[Gunf]

He’s been such an amazing player for us. Can’t understate his effort and commitment to contribute through 300 games.

To get to that level, through the draft, it’s lottery winnings type of stuff. He’s been an exemplary servant to the club.

His tackle and goal in 22 was the moment i knew we had won

 

[Vdubs]

Underrated for his entire career outside of cats fans and a genuinely good guy from all reports.

Congrats Mitch, huge achievement!

Even amongst Cats fans. He's not been in my estimations as one of our greats, but credit where it's due- he has been a role model servant for our club, could have returned to WA, has been a brilliant kick, great teammate, 2x premiership player, and now a 300 gamer. You can not be just good to get to 300.

 

[Spearman]

One could say he's been an ultimate role player, very good at filling the cracks in the lineup with skill and nous.

I'm still pissed that Mumford faced no consequences from ironing him out, just as the head is sacrosanct thing was starting.

 

[cats_09]

Duncan 300 | A Teammates' Perspective into the Milestone Man​

See what some of Mitch Duncan's teammates had to say about the milestone man, ahead of his 300th AFL game

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16 seasons, 299 games and two premierships, Mitch Duncan has had a phenomenal impact on the Geelong Football Club throughout his entire career.

His impact is not just limited to on-field, with Duncan having a positive influence on those around him and he is constantly a key driver of the high standards at Geelong.

See what some of Duncan's teammates had to say about the milestone man.

What does Mitch Duncan mean to you and Geelong?​

JACK HENRY
"He is an amazing teammate, I love playing with Mitch. Every time I have the ball in my hands, he is right next to me ready to receive it off me and always makes very clever, smart decisions with the ball. I have really loved working with Mitch in my time at the club."

TOM STEWART
"Mitch has been around for a long period of time, probably the last of that generation from the golden era in the late 2000's into the early 2010's. He is just so consistent, so measured, so calm and an amazing teammate who has played through multiple positions and taught so many. I think you can see his fingerprints and his energy on this group that will last for a number of years.

"I sit next to Mitch in meetings and he has brought me up to speed on so many things when it comes to footy, he has such a great grasp on the game. I have played with him for the better part of a decade, we have both become fathers and he obviously has a pretty big clan, to live through those experiences together and see our kids grow up is something that we really cherish. He is a great friend and an unbelievable Geelong man."

MAX HOLMES
"Just a superstar player obviously, you don't get to 300 games without being great. Ever since I got to the footy club, he has been really supportive of everyone around him. He has been a great person to play with because he is so smart, and so clean which makes him great to play alongside."

MARK BLICAVS
"It is an amazing achievement, 300 games. I am very lucky that I got to start my journey with Mitch, he had only been at the club a couple of years prior to me. I think he is one of our smartest footballers, the way he speaks up in meetings and the way he sees the game. I think he sees it really, really well and that is why he has been able to have so much influence over games for so long.

"The way he moves, the way he gets to contests, he is just a really smart footballer. It has been awesome being able to be his teammate, watching him do his thing and 300 games is an incredible achievement for him and his family."

SAM DE KONING
"Duncs is huge for the footy club, he is a legend of the game. He is just Mr Consistent, his skills are second to none and his connection with 'Hawk' over the time has been truly amazing, now with Jezza as well. 300 games is a huge milestone and he is a great player, I am privileged to have played with him."

PATRICK DANGERFIELD
"Mitch has been an incredible player. To play 300 games for one team speaks to his dedication and his professionalism. He reads the game as well as any player I have ever seen, he delivers it as good as any. But his knowledge, his read and feel is why we have been so successful and why we have executed in tough moments. He is a terrific teammate to have."

JEREMY CAMERON
"Mitch has always been one of those smooth movers, he always is. When you are playing against Mitch, you don't want the ball in his hands because he is so damaging. He will find holes, he will find gaps and now playing with him it has been fantastic. When you see Mitch with the ball, you know it is going to be lace out and as a forward that is all you can ask for. He puts it in the right position, he has plenty of run in the legs and he sets us up. He has been enormous for the football club over a very long period of time, to play 300 games and be out there with him means a lot. He is a great fella, a great person, a great Dad and a really good footballer."

JAKE KOLODJASHNIJ
"Mitch has been an absolute staple for the football club. He is an awesome teammate, probably the best user at the club for probably over a decade. Any time I see him on the field, I am always looking to handball it off to him. He is a great family man and a great person to have around the club."

What is your favourite moment/memory of Mitch Duncan?​

JACK HENRY
"Probably my favourite moment of Mitch's was in that Grand Final, where he laid the tackle early in the third quarter and kicked the goal which set us up to go on and win that game. That is my favourite Mitch Duncan moment."

JEREMY CAMERON
"I don't know why but the first thing that comes to my mind was when myself and Mitch were carrying 'Hawk' off the ground. It looked like we were both struggling, that is a funny photo if you ever look that one up. We have had lots of good moments out there, it is hard to pick one, Grand Final day is always right up there."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Tom Hawkins

26

Tom Hawkins

Age

36

Ht

197cm

Wt

105kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.2

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.9

4star

G

2.1

5star

D

12.7

3star

K

8.6

3star

HB

4.1

3star

M

5.1

5star

T

2.1

3star

G

1.6

5star

D

7.8

2star

K

5.6

3star

HB

2.2

2star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.0

3star

G

2.2

5star

of the Cats is chaired from the field by Jeremy Cameron

5

Jeremy Cameron

Age

32

Ht

196cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.5

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

5.4

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

2.6

5star

D

10.0

3star

K

7.1

3star

HB

2.9

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

2.0

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

3.2

3star

M

4.6

5star

T

2.4

4star

G

2.0

5star

(left) and Mitch Duncan (right) with children Henry, Arabella and Primrose after his 350th match during the 2024 AFL Round 03 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 01, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)


SAM DE KONING
"With Duncs, a certain moment is when he kicked a torp after the siren down here. That was pretty huge, it wasn't at the end of the game but you just knew it was going through with his super boot. As soon as he connected with that, it was a pretty special moment with all the boys."

JAKE KOLODJASHNIJ
"I reckon they time he kicked the barrel, it might have been at half time. That was pretty epic."

What have you learned from Mitch Duncan?​

JACK HENRY
"Mitch has got a really relaxed temperament and it flows through the squad. I mentioned before that he is a really smart and clever person, I think his temperament really helps to affect the rest of the squad."

TOM STEWART
"He is so eloquent and so amazing at articulating the game, what he sees and what he teaches, the care he has for those around him. You hope that that is a legacy that he lives on, because he has lived it day to day here. You can see the calm and measured approach that he has really trickles down to our younger players, they come in with such confidence because he gives them that confidence. He speaks well, he makes the game seem easy and he has for nearly 300 games."

MARK BLICAVS
"I think he is a really calm footballer too. He never really loses his temper, he sees both sides of it really well. He is obviously really passionate about winning, but he sees it and keeps everybody really calm in the heat of the moment. I think that is a really important value."

JAKE KOLODJASHNIJ
"I think it is his relaxed nature. He is a great leader, he is always willing to help out the younger guys. He is so knowledgable, especially with the offensive side of his game and he is always looking to lend a hand in that area."

Duncan 300 | A Teammates' Perspective into the Milestone Man

See what some of Mitch Duncan's teammates had to say about the milestone man, ahead of his 300th AFL game

www.geelongcats.com.au

 

[cats_09]

 

[cats_09]

 

[cats_09]

 

[cats_09]

 

[kickazz]

Such a good player and great user of the ball.

First season 2010 I remember him standing out as a gun player, and I recon early in his career we saw more contested marking up forward and hence goals. It's easy to forget that as his career progressed to outside mid / half back

 

[D BRIDGE]

Done ok losing Mummy for Mitch I guess.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

"This is a kid who wants to do the work, and is going to put in everything"

Lingy reflects on his time playing with Mitch ahead of Mitch's 300th game ”

 

[cats_09]

 

[cats_09]