Mitchell watch

[Nico]

Partly Agree- Dean is playing serviceable but his tackling is his weak point. I often see his tackles get broken. Xav has a beautiful kicking action and a good pair of hands. However his tank is a problem and he struggles to see out a full game. Maybe its something they can work on!!

Really! I haven't noticed that X doesn't see out a game. I thought he looked strong in the last Q. Only saw the game on the telly so may have looked different live.

[Ludwig]

I heard Tim Watson say that Richmond should give up their 1st pick (6) for Prestia. Most commentators rate Mitchell higher than Prestia, which they should. So on that basis Mitchell should be worth pick 4.

[graemed]

The speculation on the matter of Mitchell's future is distracting because people may begin to believe that he is unhappy or greedy or egotistical or...

If you wish to see how he is perceived by his teammates then watch Ted Richards interviewing his brother who is Mitchell's housemate. It has a question from Mitchell about X Richard's pre-game ritual. The response from X is very enlightening as to the demeanour in the house and the relationship between the co-tenants.

I believe it is both refreshing and reassuring.

[KTigers]

I'm sure there is some research somewhere and it'd be interesting to find it, but I've often wondered how some clubs are patently better than others at creating really good footballers out of guys they find in the lower rungs of the draft and even in local footy. Obviously teams like us and Hawthorn are pretty good at this, because they are never going to be handed a high draft pick finishing in the top four every year. Maybe the likes of us and Hawthorn are good at it because they have to be. Whereas the Richmonds of the comp think they don't have to work as hard at creating a really good player because they are going to handed a number six draft pick, and that guy is halfway to being good already. Maybe that is a bit harsh, but there are a bunch of teams down the bottom of the ladder where they've been for awhile, they keep getting these high draft picks but it doesn't seem to make much difference to their ladder position. Maybe it's just another argument for environment over genetics.

[Ludwig]

I think Tom wants to stay at the Swans, but the club is low-balling a new contract offer to see what we can get for him. If we can get a good deal, we'll trade him, otherwise we'll up the offer enough for him to stay. We may wait to see what Prestia goes for to set the bar on Mitchell.

[Aaron]

I haven't checked the figures, but my impression is that Xav is currently a more reliable kick than Gunston, as well as being bigger and as fast if not faster. Changing ends means he has quickly become a very valuable asset.

Below is the average statistics per Game this season so far:
Kicks|Handballs|Marks|Tackles|Goals|Behinds|Time On Ground %|AFL Fantasy
Jack Gunston 11.3 | 5.1 |6.5 |3.1 |2.3 | 1.6 |91.8 |89.9
Xavier Richards 7.5 | 4.3 |5.3 |3 |2.3 | 0.5 |80.6 |71.5
The two are very close. However, Gunston has played 20 games and X just 4. Still too early to tell if X can be as consistent as Gunston.

[dimelb]

Below is the average statistics per Game this season so far:
Kicks|Handballs|Marks|Tackles|Goals|Behinds|Time On Ground %|AFL Fantasy
Jack Gunston 11.3 | 5.1 |6.5 |3.1 |2.3 | 1.6 |91.8 |89.9
Xavier Richards 7.5 | 4.3 |5.3 |3 |2.3 | 0.5 |80.6 |71.5
The two are very close. However, Gunston has played 20 games and X just 4. Still too early to tell if X can be as consistent as Gunston.

Aaron, thank you for digging these figures up - as you say, they are surprisingly close, which I think reflects very well on Xav. Gunston is quite a comparison for a much less experienced player.

[ScottH]

If Mitchell does go, it will make it easier to slot Robinson back in

[Cosmic Wizard]

Below is the average statistics per Game this season so far:
Kicks|Handballs|Marks|Tackles|Goals|Behinds|Time On Ground %|AFL Fantasy
Jack Gunston 11.3 | 5.1 |6.5 |3.1 |2.3 | 1.6 |91.8 |89.9
Xavier Richards 7.5 | 4.3 |5.3 |3 |2.3 | 0.5 |80.6 |71.5
The two are very close. However, Gunston has played 20 games and X just 4. Still too early to tell if X can be as consistent as Gunston.

Jack Gunston : Height 193 : Weight 85kg : Games 127
X Richards : Height 195 : Weight 91kg : Games 6

From Afl Stats and the Clubs App

[azzzr]

Below is the average statistics per Game this season so far:
Kicks|Handballs|Marks|Tackles|Goals|Behinds|Time On Ground %|AFL Fantasy
Jack Gunston 11.3 | 5.1 |6.5 |3.1 |2.3 | 1.6 |91.8 |89.9
Xavier Richards 7.5 | 4.3 |5.3 |3 |2.3 | 0.5 |80.6 |71.5
The two are very close. However, Gunston has played 20 games and X just 4. Still too early to tell if X can be as consistent as Gunston.

It's not really close. His played in a couple of blowouts now like freo, port and saints - he is not comparable at the moment but in time he might get there

[111431]

It's not really close. His played in a couple of blowouts now like freo, port and saints - he is not comparable at the moment but in time he might get there

Going well but let's see how he is after 120 games and a couple of premierships

[Steve]

Mitchell wants to remain a Swan

Doesn't really shed any new light, but I think supports the argument that a slightly improved offer would get it done.

Not sure where the X Richards vs Gunston comparison came from - Gunston is worth 20+ XR's.

[azzzr]

Mitchell wants to remain a Swan

Doesn't really shed any new light, but I think supports the argument that a slightly improved offer would get it done.

Not sure where the X Richards vs Gunston comparison came from - Gunston is worth 20+ XR's.

Not which I don't trust all the great great great journos of the heraldsun, but what are we expecting Tom to say 2 weeks out from the finals " I can't wait to leave "

[Steve]

Not which I don't trust all the great great great journos of the heraldsun, but what are we expecting Tom to say 2 weeks out from the finals " I can't wait to leave "

I think the point is you wouldn't say anything if you had definitely decided to leave.

I don't recall Buddy, Ablett, Dangerfield et al being quoted as saying "yeah definitely" they wanted to stay late in the year before they left.

Doesn't guarantee anything, but would be bizarre to have made up your mind to leave and be quoted that way now.

[CureTheSane]

Sounds to me like the Swans are prepared to make a trade, and he perhaps feels like he has distanced himself a bit.
May be making the hardball a little softer, and looking to stay where he's happy.
Could be a bit daunting making a big move.