The name involved is one of the biggest in the AFL but the deal is one of the smallest. Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell will officially spend his last year as an AFL footballer playing for the West Coast Eagles.
The deal for Mitchell to the Eagles has been confirmed with just a relatively incidental shuffling of draft picks completing the move.
![Sam Mitchell](/web/20161014172800im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/2/9/7/m/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gs25q3.png/1476421375726.jpg)
The Hawks will get the Eagles' picks 52, 70 and 88 in exchange for Mitchell, pick 54 and pick 72. So the Eagles move back two places with two late picks and give up pick 88 in order to get Mitchell.
The trade reflects the fact the deal was about getting Mitchell where he wanted to go and Hawthorn moving a sizeable playing contract out of their salary cap more than the player's ability on the field.
Mitchell has released a statement conceding this week's developments "would have come as a shock" to Hawks fans, "but hopefully you can understand the logic of this decision".
"At 34, with a young family and perhaps my best footy behind me, this all makes sense and it opens doors in terms of my next dream to be a coach.
"Some of you will be angry and think the club and I have made a big mistake which I understand but emotion aside this is the right decision for myself and the football club.
"The thought of pulling on a new jumper, while still a little strange, is a great opportunity and has reinvigorated me for a new challenge."
![An image of ex-Hawks legend Sam Mitchell in his new jumper.](/web/20161014172800im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/2/6/m/k/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gs25q3.png/1476421375726.jpg)
The Mitchell deal has been completed relatively painlessly but similar discussions with Jordan Lewis about his future caused more rancour and have forced the club into attempting to repair relationships with the senior player.
Mitchell will join the Eagles as a player for one year then move to an assistant coaching role for two more years.
"We believe we have reached a deal that is in the best interests of all involved," Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright said.
"Sam has always envisaged coaching in his future and a move to West Coast will enable him to make that first step."
At 34, with ... perhaps my best footy behind me, this all makes sense.
The midfielder played 307 games for the Hawks over 15 years after being recruited in 2001 with pick 36.
He played in four premierships, was a five-time Peter Crimmins Medallist for club best and fairest and was three-times All Australian, the last of which was just in the 2015 season.