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Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell is the 2003 National AFL Rising Star. Mitchell enjoyed a great season, playing his 21 games in the midfield. The dashing blond became known for his ability to win centre clearances. In fact he topped the AFL with 135 clearances. His impressive season statistics (199 kicks, 54 marks, 174 handballs) are proof of the great support he provided his midfield teammates including Shane Crawford, Peter Everitt, Richard Vandenberg and Rayden Tallis. Mitchell has worked hard to gain regular senior selection. Originally from Mooroolbark in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs, Mitchell became the only player at the Eastern Ranges Under 18s to win two best and fairests, taking out the award in 1999 and 2000. Overlooked at the 2000 National AFL Draft, Mitchell played with the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL. Despite playing only 11 matches, he won the VFL's best and fairest award, the 2002 Liston Trophy, polling 31 votes to win by 12 votes. He also won the Box Hill Hawks' best and fairest that year.
Mitchell was selection 36 in the 2001 National AFL Draft. He made his senior debut in Round 5 2002 and went on to play nine senior matches and was named as an emergency eight times. In his first season, he won Hawthorn's 2002 most determined player award. Mitchell won the National AFL Rising Star award polling ahead of Graeme Polak (Fremantle), Luke Ball (St Kilda), Daniel Wells (Kangaroos) and Adam Schneider (Sydney). He was presented with the National AFL Rising Star Medal by last year's winner St Kilda's Nick Reiwoldt at Melbourne's Crown Casino. He has also won a National investment portfolio and the services of a dedicated National Private Banker, which was presented by the National's Executive General Manager, Financial Services Australia, Ian MacDonald. "Sam is a worthy winner from a fantastic line-up of nominees this year. I congratulate all nominees and wish them well for the coming seasons. "The National is pleased to again be associated with the National AFL Pathway Program and I look forward to following the progress of all players associated with it as they strive to achieve at the highest level," Mr MacDonald said. Mitchell graduated to the VFL from the National AFL Pathway Program. He represented Victoria Metro in the 2000 National AFL Under 18 Championships. The prestigious National AFL Rising Star award is the final step in the National AFL Pathway Program. The program tracks young players from grass roots to the elite playing level, comprising the: - National AFL Under 16 Championships
- Australian Institute of SportAFLAcademy
- National AFL Under 18 Championships
- National AFL Draft Camp
- National AFL Draft
- National AFL Rising Star
To interview Sam Mitchell, please contact Hawthorn Communications Assistant, Megan Wilson: 0407 120 127. The winner of the National AFL Rising Star Award was chosen by the All Australian selectors: Rod Austin, Kevin Bartlett, Andrew Demetriou, Gerard Healy, Neil Kerley, Chris Mainwaring, Robert Walls and Wayne Jackson (Non-voting chairman). Final Voting: 1. Sam Mitchell Hawthorn 33 2. Graham Polak Fremantle 26 3. Luke Ball St Kilda 17 4. Daniel Wells Kangaroos 12 5. Adam Schneider Sydney 8 6. Ashley Sampi West Coast 4 7. Michael Osborne Hawthorn 3 8. Marc Bullen Essendon 1 9. Byron Schammer Fremantle 1 The All Australian selectors' votes were as follows: Rod Austin 5 - Sam Mitchell - Hawthorn 4 - Graham Polak - Fremantle 3 - Daniel Wells - Kangaroos 2 - Luke Ball - St Kilda 1 - Adam Schneider - Sydney Kevin Bartlett 5 - Sam Mitchell - Hawthorn 4 - Luke Ball - St Kilda 3 - Adam Schneider - Sydney 2 - Graham Polak - Fremantle 1 - Daniel Wells - Kangaroos
Andrew Demetriou 5 - Sam Mitchell - Hawthorn 4 - Graham Polak - Fremantle 3 - Luke Ball - St Kilda 2 - Daniel Wells - Kangaroos 1 - Byron Schammer - Fremantle Gerard Healy 5 - Sam Mitchell - Hawthorn 4 - Graham Polak - Fremantle 3 - Luke Ball - St Kilda 2 - Adam Schneider - Sydney 1 - Daniel Wells - Kangaroos Neil Kerley 5 - Luke Ball - St Kilda 4 - Sam Mitchell - Hawthorn 3 - Graham Polak - Fremantle 2 - Daniel Wells - Kangaroos 1 - Ashley Sampi - West Coast Chris Mainwaring 5 - Graham Polak - Fremantle 4 - Sam Mitchell - Hawthorn 3 - Ashley Sampi - West Coast 2 - Adam Schneider - Sydney 1 - Daniel Wells - Kangaroos Robert Walls 5 - Sam Mitchell - Hawthorn 4 - Graham Polak - Fremantle 3 - Michael Osborne - Hawthorn 2 - Daniel Wells - Kangaroos 1 - Marc Bullen - Essendon
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