Collingwood's 2021 poaching attempt accelerated Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell plan
When Collingwood tried to recruit Sam Mitchell in mid-2021, Hawthorn fast-tracked his succession plan with Alastair Clarkson.
Hawthorn moved to speed up Sam Mitchell's rise from assistant to head coach after Collingwood chased him in mid-2021. Mitchell had returned to the Hawks in 2020 as a possible successor to great coach Alastair Clarkson.
When Collingwood's interest surfaced, Hawthorn moved quickly and shortened its succession plan. Mitchell took the top job in 2023, a year earlier than planned.
Five years on, Mitchell has guided the Hawks to a second-straight semi-final. He is building on his record as a four-time premiership player.
Clarkson is still the only coach to win four premierships this century. Mitchell is now trying to carry that success forward.
- Mid-2021
- When Collingwood pursued Mitchell
- 2023
- Mitchell took top job
- Four
- Mitchell's premiership medals as player
- Four
- Clarkson's premierships this century
Why it mattersThe moment showed how a rival's interest can force a club's hand and reshape coaching succession, and Mitchell's results suggest Hawthorn made the right call.
AustraliaAn AFL coaching story demonstrates how Australian football clubs manage their most crucial succession decisions, with direct bearing on one of the sport's biggest clubs.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 5 d ago
