Sam Mitchell – aka Mitch,The Extractor, Diesel 2.0 – has received, and will receive many more, plaudits for reaching 300 games today.
The kudos is richly deserved. He's been an icon of the modern game and, as arguably the greatest player Leigh Matthews observed, he's one of the "great geniuses" in the game's history.
But as we prepare for the Hawthorn number 5 to run out for his milestone game against Richmond at the MCG today, let's delve into the Sam Mitchell we don't know.
The 10 things you didn't know about Mitch
1. His dad drove him to his games every week until he was 25. He told his teammates it was a superstition he grew out of.
2. His training standards blow teammates away. Year after year he's the first person on the track and the last person off it.
3. His playing bag looks like a washing basket. Training tops, footy socks, umpteen pairs of shorts – it's a mess.
4. He's known as an "enigma" in the off-season. Mitchell is a great family man and spends every day he can with them when he's not required at the club.
5. He loves overseas sports. Supports the New England Patriots in the NFL and Tottenham in the EPL.
6. He rates himself as a soccer player. He's often seen juggling the Sherrin before a game, but behind closed doors he loves the round ball.
7. He's obsessed with the new Pokemon game. It's alleged he blames his kids for running his phone battery low, but it's believed it's his love for the worldwide phenomenon that's found him constantly looking for a phone charger.
8. He doesn't wear a mouthguard. Some say it's because he's never bothered, others say it's because no dentist can fit his big smile.
9. He's known for having a terrible dress sense. Apparently it's Puma or nothing.
10. We save the best till last. Mitchell is notorious around Waverley for spitting when he speaks. One player told me, "If you sit next to him at Mad Monday you better wear windscreen wipers."
And here's a word on Mitchell from three of his best mates – the reigning premier's captain and two vice-captains.
Luke Hodge:
"When he was drafted he was touted as being too slow, too short, too fat. Not much has changed. As far as what he's achieved, it's no coincidence given his work ethic and his want and desire to get better. He sets a great example for all the young guys who enter our footy club."
Jordan Lewis:
"He's the most calculated, annoying person to be around, but all for the right reasons. He's like a little kid sometimes; he'll kick balls at you when you're not looking and things like that. But he's the ultimate professional who's super competitive."
Jarryd Roughead:
"He's a bloke that could still be a player-coach in terms of his knowledge of the game and structures. He knows when to switch on and when switch off, which makes him really good. He can relax and act like a little kid, which he does the majority of the time, but when it comes to footy he's the hardest worker who is first on the track and last off."
