ROBINVALE Euston footballer Seamus Mitchell has been drafted by Hawthorn.
The Hawks on Wednesday night sprung a bit of a draft surprise by picking the electrifying utility with pick 29, despite an injury scare during the week.
Mitchell suffered a knee and ankle injury in his final training session with the Eagles last Thursday.
He suffered a Grade 1 medial strain as well as an ankle sprain after a player fell across his leg in a tackle.
Doctors ruled out a more serious ACL tear and AFL clubs were made aware of the extent of the injury, with Mitchell not expected to be able to return to training until January.
But the Hawks were confident to take the punt and picked Mitchell with their second pick of the night.
Ahead of the draft, Mitchell said “I am trying to stay as calm as possible I guess, we’ve just got to wait and see.”
Hawthorn legend Gary Buckenara, who had Mitchell as no.31 in his ranking of the potential draftees, was almost right on the money with his selection, while other so-called experts had left him out of the draft.
Buckenara likened Mitchell to former GWS and now Carlton footballer Zac Williams for his speed, evasive skills, ball use and desire to take the game on.
“Mitchell will have plenty of admirers in this draft and it won’t surprise me if he goes earlier than (31),” Buckenara said ahead of the draft. “He’s a bit of a wild card but I’m sure he’ll find a spot on an AFL list for 2021.”
