Mitchell’s fellow midfielder Jaeger O’Meara rounded out the placings with 121 votes,while small forward Dylan Moore - whose career was on a knife’s edge only 12 months ago - finished fourth after a breakout season.
Having already been named the Hawks’ best-and-fairest in 2017 and 2018 beforehis serious injury wiped out his 2019 campaign,Mitchell powered back to form in 2021,averaging more than 34 disposals after playing all 22 games in what was a turbulent season at Waverley.
Meanwhile,Forward Jacob Koschitzke claimed the best first-year player award,Sam Frost was named the Hawks’ most consistent player,Changkuoth Jiath won the most promising player award and skipper Ben McEvoy was chosen as best clubman.
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Hawthorn chief executive Justin Reeves acknowledged the challenges of another COVID-19-affected season.
“This season saw our players endure a lot of change as they were faced with rolling fixtures and varied schedules week-to-week,” Reeves said.
“While working through these challenges,our players continued to perform and still achieve their own individual honours whether that be a game-high statistic,an AFL Mark of the Year or Rising Star nomination,or simply putting in a hundred per cent of their effort and more each round.