Mitchell Nominates His Most Underrated Teammates

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Retiring AFL champion Sam Mitchell has nominated former Hawthorn teammates Chance Bateman and Ben Stratton as the most underrated players he has played alongside.

Mitchell played 307 of his 323 matches with the Hawks in a decorated 15-year stint which saw him win four premierships (one as captain), a Brownlow Medal, three All-Australians and five best-and-fairests.

The West Coast midfielder played in his first premiership with Bateman (2008) and played alongside Stratton in the Hawks’ three-peat (2013-15).

“The bloke that just jumps straight into my mind is Chance Bateman,” Mitchell told Triple M’s Rush Hour. 

“He was one of those guys that was just so important for the way we played. 

“I guess with is Aboriginal background, the guys like Cyril Rioli don’t realise how lucky they were to have a mentor like him around the footy club.

“Of the more modern players I think a guy like Ben Stratton probably jumps out as well.

“He’s a guy that just always got the job done and doesn’t get the newspaper accolades but he’d be the first name on the team sheet every week when they do match committee.”