The 20-year-old has played in six consecutive games for the Swans and is averaging an impressive 22.5 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 6.8 tackles and one goal per game in his short AFL career.
The second-year Swan is well on his way to living up to the hype that surrounded his debut earlier this season, following two 50-plus possession games for the Swans reserves in the NEAFL before notching up 18 disposals after coming on as the substitute in his first game.
Despite the incredible start to his career, Mitchell said holding his place in the Swans’ best 22 rather than increasing his numbers on the stats sheet was his major focus this season.
“I’ve been reasonably happy just to be given the opportunity to play really,” Mitchell told SwansTV.
“Obviously having a good win on the weekend and to be a part of that and just being able to stay in the team and string a few games together has been the main thing for me.
“Being able to stay in the team and play senior footy has been great.”
Mitchell was at his brilliant best in last weekend’s 129-point win over GWS at the SCG, finishing the match with 23 disposals and a career-best three goals, including 15 touches and a goal after being shifted into the midfield in the last quarter.
“I suppose throughout different stages of the game different players are in different positions and up until three-quarter time I was just trying to play my role and do things like that and whatever the team needed me to do,” Mitchell said about his last quarter blitz.
“In the last quarter I happened to be given a chance to have a run in the midfield and I sort of took it upon myself to really have a crack and test my running out and try and run the game out well.”
This week, Mitchell will travel with the Swans to Perth to take on the West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It will be familiar territory for the young player, who spent three years in Perth as a teenager.
“I enjoyed my time over there,” Mitchell said.
“I lived in Perth for about three years since I was about 16-18 and it’s a great place.
“I really loved living there and played a bit of footy over there as well, so it will be good to get back there and hopefully have a good win against West Coast.”
Mitchell, who played at Subiaco throughout his teenage years, said the Swans’ running game would be crucial in this Sunday’s clash with the Eagles, adding that he believed tackling West Coast at home was one of the biggest tests in football.
“I got to play on Subi and it’s obviously a pretty big ground and it’s really long, so as a team we’re going to have to bring our running game this week and be prepared to run,” he said.
“(West Coast) have been a bit unlucky with injuries, but we know they’re a very talented team and especially over at home they are going to be very hard to beat, so we’re going to need to be at our very best.”
