No Oppo Supporters Sam Mitchell traded

[Phil McCreviss]

It's quite unbelievable how many on this board think this decision is all about our list management for next year. It took Clarkson 5 years to build the list required to take us to the 2008 flag. This isn't a rebuild as we have 5-7 elite in the peak of their career. It's an evolving process that will take a couple of years. Sam won't be the last Hawk great that will be moved on whether that be retirement or to another club. Trust that the club is working through a strategy here. Our MO is not to compete for a premiership but to win them. And making hard decisions is what it will take.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Doesn't make him Infallible.

Guys a genius but John Lennon wrote the odd shit song.

Lennon wrote plenty of shit songs - most of his solo career was junk.

Clarko, however, has gotten more than his fair share of things right in his time. He's as much of a legend at the club as Sammy so should get the same level of respect.

 

[CaptainPorks]

It's quite unbelievable how many on this board think this decision is all about our list management for next year. It took Clarkson 5 years to build the list required to take us to the 2008 flag. This isn't a rebuild as we have 5-7 elite in the peak of their career. It's an evolving process that will take a couple of years. Sam won't be the last Hawk great that will be moved on whether that be retirement or to another club. Trust that the club is working through a strategy here. Our MO is not to compete for a premiership but to win them. And making hard decisions is what it will take.

Didn't Clarkson say we're reloading and coming again next year?

 

[Pessimistic]

If Sam simply retired to be an assitant coach somewhere would there be so much angst?

 

[Phil McCreviss]

Didn't Clarkson say we're reloading and coming again next year?

Did you expect him to say "We are regenerating our list and moving on some champions?"

 

[beta_condition]

If Sam simply retired to be an assitant coach somewhere would there be so much angst?

No I'd be happy with that, feel like a deflated balloon thats been left out in the sun at kid birthday party knowing Mitchell will end his career else where.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

It's quite unbelievable how many on this board think this decision is all about our list management for next year. It took Clarkson 5 years to build the list required to take us to the 2008 flag. This isn't a rebuild as we have 5-7 elite in the peak of their career. It's an evolving process that will take a couple of years. Sam won't be the last Hawk great that will be moved on whether that be retirement or to another club. Trust that the club is working through a strategy here. Our MO is not to compete for a premiership but to win them. And making hard decisions is what it will take.

Testify!

 

[Ned Ryerson]

It's quite unbelievable how many on this board think this decision is all about our list management for next year. It took Clarkson 5 years to build the list required to take us to the 2008 flag. This isn't a rebuild as we have 5-7 elite in the peak of their career. It's an evolving process that will take a couple of years. Sam won't be the last Hawk great that will be moved on whether that be retirement or to another club. Trust that the club is working through a strategy here. Our MO is not to compete for a premiership but to win them. And making hard decisions is what it will take.

Absolutely correct. That people are saying this was done to get Vickery is simplifying things beyond belief. We are playing the long game now. For sentimental fools like me it's a bitter pill to swallow - just hoping in time this will be vindicated.

 

[benfranklin]

If Sam simply retired to be an assitant coach somewhere would there be so much angst?

The loss of our best player would still be real. Isn't it crazy to be saying that about a bloke who turned 34 today.

 

[hawks0808]

Still can't believe this. He is our current B&F, and he is the player we decide to move on?

Doesn't make sense to me, many players retire and get coaching gigs, don't see why Sam has to spend a year or two playing in W.A. and then take up coaching.
Always thought I would see Sam retiring as a Hawthorn player, doesn't seem right that he will end up wearing blue and gold.

I have to have faith in what our great club does, but at the moment I'm feeling shattered

Sammy has been a great player for the HFC no doubt. An absolute champ.
Its not like he is being pushed out, he and the club are exploring options and he is looking at setting himself up for the next phase of his life after playing, that will be coaching and also whats best for him and his family. Its being done in a top shelf way. Sammy on SEN was forthright and honest and long term all parties may well benefit. These things are never easy but I think the way he and the club are going about it is great to see. Just look how North let 4 of their longtime players go. We do it better than anyone. Only time will tell, but the club is looking forward, It may well be about cap space, no one really knows. But for him to play a year or 2 at another club and learn different ways of operating, is a great way to learn. The players we are bringing in all serve a need and in our system may well be very good or better. Vickery is much needed in forward line as we don't know if or when Roughy will come back also can pinch in the ruck, also Gunston gets the 2nd defender and so on, 2 gun midfielders TOM & JOM with Lovell, Stewart & Burton all pushing. So I think Clarko and co are just rebuilding on the run, would not surprise me if we are contenders again in 2018 and we will look back and think what a masterstroke. Look at what the Bulldogs have accomplished in 2 years, they were a rabble 2 years ago. There is always going to be pain as players get older, but we support the club which is bigger than the individual. We are in the business of winning flags and unfortunately in this day and age its imperative that we stay successful. Clarko & the club do have the runs on the board, so I think those who are bagging him, must have short memories, but time will tell.

 

[Slick]

The emotion in people's posts are understandable, but if you remove the emotion and see it for what it is, the deal is good for everyone and most importantly, it's great for Sam.

If the Hawks take under a to set up Sam for the next stage in his life and career, that's a parting gift that shows just how well loved and respected he is by those that run our football club.

 

[William Wonka]

Relax folks.
All this means is that Mitchell will be coaching Hawthorn in a few years.
He's Thirty four ffs, as a player he is our past not our future.

We now have a new Mitchell and will get Jeager plus a few more surprises.
We might not be getting a lot for him from West Coast but we will get something (and a hell of a lot of goodwill, which is very important in horsetrading).

Everyone go and watch Jaegers highlight reel then imagine him going to the scum.

 

[kazzooka]

Problem is that I feel like if we moved hodge and Gibson into retirement we can keep Mitchell recruit our targets and challenge next year. With Mitchell gone we cannot. I do not expect much from Gibson or hodge next year.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

 

[Long Live HFC]

After the initial shock and sadness, i was ok because it seemed like mitch was honestly excited about it and i would never begrudge him doing what's best for him after all he's done for the club.

But I can't be the only one who found Habitual 's posts convincing. And if that narrative is remotely close to the mark i am just very, very sad. If mitchell genuinely believes other vets should have made the sacrifice instead of him, i agree.

 

[A Cut Above]

It's quite unbelievable how many on this board think this decision is all about our list management for next year. It took Clarkson 5 years to build the list required to take us to the 2008 flag. This isn't a rebuild as we have 5-7 elite in the peak of their career. It's an evolving process that will take a couple of years. Sam won't be the last Hawk great that will be moved on whether that be retirement or to another club. Trust that the club is working through a strategy here. Our MO is not to compete for a premiership but to win them. And making hard decisions is what it will take.

Making brutal decisions like this one are all well and good provided they result in Premierships. However if things should happen to go **** up those who make them won't be giving themselves a hell of a lot of wiggle room.

High risk strategies are nothing new to the club and I approve in principle. Couple this move with the decision to go after Burton, Garlett & O'Meara and it appears the club has realized that drastic and perhaps unconventional steps must be taken if we're to compete with the likes of GWS. Who dares wins, risk vs reward and all that, its not something I object to generally speaking and if ever a club is in a position to do it Hawthorn certainly is right now.

I only warn that supporters have long memories and a decision like this one will leave a bitter taste in many mouths. Clarko has earned the right to be bold but walking along a knife edge is a tricky business... although you could argue it makes more sense than succumbing to the urge to rest on his laurels and be conservative as a lot of multi-Premiership coaches have done toward the ends of their careers.

 

[Furn2]

Lennon wrote plenty of shit songs - most of his solo career was junk.

Clarko, however, has gotten more than his fair share of things right in his time. He's as much of a legend at the club as Sammy so should get the same level of respect.

It's not about my respect, he has that in spades.

I just think he's got this one wrong.

Let's hope I'm way off.

 

[Tomohawks]

I can't understand the notion that trading Mitch for trash= Win for Hawthorn. What? It will only be a win for Hawthorn if next year we get Fyfe in free agency... Which is highly unlikely, so until then I don't wanna hear that bullshit.

Also GW said this has nothing to do with cap relief so maybe we can land another young mid to go with JOM and Tom Mitchell, I really rate Jarryd Lyons and would be very happy to get him. That would ease the blow imo.

I would like Hrovat to be added to those two and then Sammy's inside work is replaced just like that for the next decade along with Sheils and maybe Lovell if he comes on as expected. I'm starting to come around after the initial disappointment of losing Sammy.

 

[bigton08]

Problem is that I feel like if we moved hodge and Gibson into retirement we can keep Mitchell recruit our targets and challenge next year. With Mitchell gone we cannot. I do not expect much from Gibson or hodge next year.

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Love your posts you know what your talking about!!! Gibbo and hodge are gone yet they're sitting ready to do a pre season hodge is so arrogant I saw him in the after game interview loss to the dogs quashing rumours of retirement he looked at the camera intently and said I'm going nowhere! He just didn't know it was his time and we'll get caught out in games with him playing

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Love your posts you know what your talking about!!! Gibbo and hodge are gone yet they're sitting ready to do a pre season hodge is so arrogant I saw him in the after game interview loss to the dogs quashing rumours of retirement he looked at the camera intently and said I'm going nowhere! He just didn't know it was his time and we'll get caught out in games with him playing

Is that the same Hodge who in the finals was by far our best against the Cats and close to our best against the Dogs?

 

[flinchfree]

This means that for the rest of time Mitchell will be referred to as "Hawthorn and West Coast Player Sam Mitchell". Its just wrong. Can't the club see how something like that is so important to the fans. How about "Hawthorn and Brisbane player Jason Dunstall" or "Hawthorn and Sydney player Shane Crawford"? Its NOT RIGHT!!! Unless i have really missed the hook to this I think its just an awful and painful decision.

I still think of Parko as a Hawthorn man, though the Blues love him too.
Jeansy is Hawthorn as they come, but played for the Saints, coached them for 16 years and gave them their only GF win!
Even Kanga gave 4 years of his time at North Melbourne.....statue still looks right at home at Waverly to me.
Players from Lethal, to Brereton, to Jarman, have all played or coached elsewhere, but I count them as Hawk greats.
Sammy will be the same, and undoubtedly he has more to offer the football world after he stops playing than only be seen at Hawthorn.
I feel like he may have just as spectacular a post playing career as the one he's forged thus far, and that likely will include making other clubs supporters weep with joy at what he brings to their lives, and yes, probably even count him as one of their own.
Sammy's not Don Scott. Yes he's Hawthorn, but he's more than that too.

 

[flinchfree]

Brereton's legacy was 100% tarnished by playing for Sydney and Collingwood. I have the feeling that if you asked him now he would say that he would have preferred to have retired in 1992 rather than play for another club.

It's also worth noting what happened to hawthorn after brereton left.

To you, not to me. Please don't say that kind of thing as though everyone would agree.
We thought his body was shot (after putting it on the line for a decade for the mighty fighting), and had started penny pinching because of poor management. He got offered an embarrassing amount for being a legend of our club, believed he could still play, so did somewhere else.

The man is 100% Hawthorn through and through.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Ansolutely love the smattering of posts decrying what the club is doing in terms of list management then in the same sentence attack Luke Hodge and say he should have been retired. Can't have it both ways there champs. And thanks for disrespecting our champion leader and rightfully equal Hawthorn legend.

 

[seysearles]

I still think of Parko as a Hawthorn man, though the Blues love him too.
Jeansy is Hawthorn as they come, but played for the Saints, coached them for 16 years and gave them their only GF win!
Even Kanga gave 4 years of his time at North Melbourne.....statue still looks right at home at Waverly to me.
Players from Lethal, to Brereton, to Jarman, have all played or coached elsewhere, but I count them as Hawk greats.
Sammy will be the same, and undoubtedly he has more to offer the football world after he stops playing than only be seen at Hawthorn.
I feel like he may have just as spectacular a post playing career as the one he's forged thus far, and that likely will include making other clubs supporters weep with joy at what he brings to their lives, and yes, probably even count him as one of their own.
Sammy's not Don Scott. Yes he's Hawthorn, but he's more than that too.

MASSIVE distinction between coaching and playing. I have no gripe whatsoever with Mitchell retiring and going to coach anywhere he likes. Pulling on that guernsey changes EVERYTHING for me though. Brereton and Jarman both did it and it killed a big part of them to me. It cuts me deep that Mitchell is set to slip from your Matthews Crawford and Dunstall category down to a Jarman or even Brereton (who in fairness was pushed out the door). A guy like Franklin is completely dead to me. It's not right that Mitchell is going to be one of those guys.

 

[wheelie_hawk]

I honestly don't know what to think or feel. Rationally I can see why the club has made the suggestion, we need cap space, and it is classy the way both clubs are dealing with things. But my heart says no just no. A guy like Mitch is not replaceable even for two guys with talent, (let alone a tall Richmond wannabe...). I worry that we are pushing the wrong guy out the door. I know hard decisions must be made but this seems to far. I hope his Legacy as a hawthorn all time great is not tarnished by this. I love all our Champs but Gibson would make more sense to me than this, not that I want that to happen either. But this just makes me sad and wonder how did Clarkson and co not see this coming when they re-signed Hodge, Silk and Gibbo?

Sam not being a one club player is hard to swallow. Never mind what we are losing on the field, the guy has skills and vision so rare that he makes it look easy, but we will find out just how special he is when he is gone. I have faith in the club and Sam whatever he chooses but understand all the range of emotions and opinions on here. For now though I'm stunned and sad. If this is goodbye thanks for everything Sam a true great and a huge reason we are so successful.

If in a few years time this all works out with the young guns and Mitch is seen as a legend then I will happily tip my hat to the powers that be and admit I was wrong. Though I fear that may never happen….

 

[Thaihawk]

Is that the same Hodge who in the finals was by far our best against the Cats and close to our best against the Dogs?

I've given up even reading any of his posts. Nothing constructive, only rubbishes Hawthorn F.C., coach and players.