Hawthorn Coach Sam Mitchell “Every game for us is important”

Hawthorn Senior Coach Sam Mitchell was pleased with his team’s 61-point victory over the Eagles in Perth on Sunday. After the game, Mitchell shared his thoughts on the overall performance, emphasizing the importance of each win at this stage of the season, and provided an update on Captain James Sicily’s shoulder.

Key Points from Mitchell’s Post-Match Press Conference:

On the Win

Mitchell highlighted the team’s strong defense, noting they limited West Coast to just 33 inside 50s. He commended the team’s physicality and ability to handle the tough conditions, stating, “I think we defended quite well, restricted their score heavily… I thought we looked like a tough side today.” He was particularly pleased with the team’s response after the bye and their performance in a challenging environment.

Influence of the Midfield Group

Mitchell praised the midfield’s pressure and ability to disrupt West Coast’s plays. He singled out Lloyd Meek for his performance in the ruck, emphasizing the importance of winning loose balls and clean ball handling on an unfamiliar surface. “I thought our fast feet and… winning the body work was really important for us,” he said.

The Importance of Every Win

Mitchell stressed the significance of putting the team in winnable positions and the need to win on the road. “You can’t afford to be a team in this national competition that loses away all the time… that’s a step forward for our maturity today,” he noted. He highlighted the team’s growth and the players’ positive response to the increased stakes of each game.

Sicily’s Shoulder

Regarding James Sicily’s shoulder injury, Mitchell said, “Not sure, he was telling me he wanted to come back on… He’ll have assessments through the week, and we’ll see how he goes.” He explained that Sicily was kept off the field once the game was secure, to avoid further injury.

Mitchell’s comments reflect his satisfaction with the team’s development and resilience, as well as a focus on continuous improvement and handling challenges effectively.