Brownlow Medallist calls time on stellar AFL career

Brownlow Medallist and former Swan, Hawk and Magpie Tom Mitchell has called time on a magnificent AFL career.

The 32-year-old played 207 AFL games across the three sides and was one of the competition's greatest ball magnets, averaging over 34 disposals three times across his stellar career.

Most recently featuring for Collingwood, Mitchell was delisted following a range on injury concerns that held him to just four games in 2025.

A premiership Magpie in 2023, Mitchell played his best football for Hawthorn, winning three club best and fairests in 2017, 2018 and 2021, including a Brownlow Medal and a Leigh Matthews Trophy in 2018.

Taking to Instagram to announce his retirement, Mitchell released this statement on Wednesday afternoon:

It’s hard to let go of something you put absolutely everything into. My days playing in the AFL have come to an end, but what an amazing journey it was to live out my childhood dream.

Every footy story is different and unique. That’s what makes it authentic to you. My career had some extreme highs and some devastating lows.

There were the challenges. It didn’t start the way I would’ve liked, living life on the fringe. My career was later threatened by getting badly injured and breaking my leg in half at the top of my game. There was definitely no fairytale finish to my career either.

Then there were the achievements. Going to the top of the mountain and winning a premiership is something I’ll forever be grateful for. The individual accolades are amazing, but it’s not so much about them. I’m more proud of the approach to never give up under any circumstance. Early starts, late finishes, and rarely a day off for the 14 years it lasted. That’s what gives me peace, knowing that I honestly could not have given any more.

I’d like to sincerely thank my family, friends, teammates, coaches, sponsors, and mentors, as well as everyone else who went on this journey with me. To enjoy the great moments together, but more importantly, to be there when times got tough.

To the three amazing clubs I was fortunate enough to be a part of @sydneyswans @hawthornfc @collingwood_fc — Thank you for the incredible opportunities and the lifelong memories. The friendships made will last a lifetime and I’ll cherish that.

What’s next? My other passion is to continue to build Ball Magnets into the independent media platform it has become. I can’t wait to share the plans in store for 2026 and beyond.

I’ve unpacked my career in full with @hamishmclachlan on all BM podcast platforms. It is a deep dive into my career through my eyes.

The podcast is now live, with the link in both my bio and the @ballmagnets page.

Thanks again to all who supported me over the years. I appreciate you all more than you will ever know.

Titch ❤️