All reports say we have been talking to him about coming over to coach for 2-3 years (at very least 12 months).
To be honest I've kinda always thought he'd end up here as an assistant after he finished with Hawthorn, the Simpson connection makes it a no brainer so I'm not falling over myself in awe at the Eagles brilliance for speaking to him about it over the past couple of years. It would be negligent not to have wouldn't it?
So far as this trade goes I don't see any indication from what we've said, Mitchell has said, Mitchells manager has said or anyone else has said that this wasn't 100% a Hawthorn decision made in the best interest of Hawthorn that just happens to make perfect sense for us, and is agreeable to Mitchell at the same time now he's seen the club is keen for him to make room for new blood.
I am loving the fact he is coming here, it could be the greatest thing that has happened to our club since sliced bread and I mean that. I'm actually excited about Duggan again now which for me is massive. But its almost entirely good luck, good fortune, and gift from god and not Eagles brilliance. They made an approach at the most highly regarded coaching prospect in the game based on the fact he has a strong relationship with our Senior coach, then Clarko saw an opportunity to make him a West Coast player and thats why it happening. Its awesome, it doesn't mean our recruiters are awesome. If their greatest trading coup of all times was also the luckiest thing that ever happened to them that could also be seen as an indictment.