Sam Mitchell - Gary Ablett Comparisons

[KermitJagger]

I know he's not a Hawk anymore, but he's a Hawk legend so I figure this can be excused. The AFL Website posted this article today, and posed the question "Is Ablett the best player to reach 300 games"

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-22/the-chase-the-cherry-on-top-of-gazs-300th

So I thought I'd compare them, Sam Mitchell is statistically as good as Gary is:

Top 10:

Disposals (More than Gaz)
Handballs (More than Gaz)
Inside 50s
Clearances (#1)
Contested Possessions
Uncontested Possessions (More than Gaz)
Goal Assists


1x Brownlow
4x Premierships
220 Brownlow votes

He’s just outside the top 10 for tackles too. So, is Sam Mitchell one of the most underrated players to play the game? It honestly feels like he is.

 

[Randy Campbell]

The were both not good enough for a first round draft pick.

 

[KermitJagger]

The were both not good enough for a first round draft pick.

The Father/Son system was a lot different back then. Scarlett, Brown are both players who would have gone earlier but fell back into the late ones.

 

[threesixpio]

They're both awesome. Any team would be stoked to have either.

Gaz is WAAAAAAAY better in front of goal though. I think this needs to be factored in.

In terms of which player is better at getting other team members into the game.... I say Sammy.

 

[OzJohnnie]

I reckon Mitch is utterly elite and a fundamental part of the the Hawthorn legend. But I think Gaz is a more electric player. Gaz is capable of grabbing a game and single-handedly changing it, ala Dangerfield. But Sam, make no doubt, is the ultimate corner stone. The utterly reliable piece in the high performing team puzzle.

I'd rather watch Gaz play, but I'd rather play with Mitch.

 

[threesixpio]

I'd rather watch Gaz play, but I'd rather play with Mitch.

Bang on. This

 

[Gralin]

Nope

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The one true answer - and you're not a Hawthorn supporter if this doesn't immediately come to mind - is Leigh Matthews.

Case closed.