Caleb Mitchell in action for the Swans during Sunday’s Round 3 match against the Richmond Tigers at the MCG. Image AAP.
Caleb Mitchell made his debut with Sydney Swans against Richmond at the MCG last Easter Sunday, making it two players in the team from Yarrawonga.
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The 19-year-old joined James Jordan, 23, who was playing is third game with the Swans having transferred from Melbourne where he played 65 games and being part of the 2021 premiership side.
Yarrawonga’s James Jordan and Caleb Mitchell 2024 pre-season with Swans coach John Longmire.
“It was the quickest game of footy I’ve ever played – it was intense, physical,” Mitchell told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“The competitive nature of the game, the physicality of it, Richmond came to play. They shocked us a bit.”
Mitchell started on the bench and played 80 minutes, on the wing. Pitted against the well-regarded and experienced Marlon Pickett and Kamdyn McIntosh, he amassed 10 possessions with seven kicks and three handballs. “I played my role,” he said, and is match-ready for this week’s Eagles clash.
Sydney life is to Mitchell’s liking. “I love it,” he said and is off-field friends with Jordan.
Young talent Caleb Mitchell playing for the Yarrawonga Pigeons in 2022.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Mitchell played a handful of games with Yarrawonga including as a grand-finalist.in 2023. The Swans recruited him from the Murray Bushrangers with pick 40 of the 2022 NAB AFL Draft.
After a strong 2022 season in the NAB League Mitchell was selected for Vic Country in the National Championships. His first taste of senior footy came as he represented the Swans in the 2023 VFL competition, enjoying standout performances in Round 7 against Collingwood with 24 disposals and against Essendon with 24 disposals and six tackles.
He also kicked five goals for the Swans across the season. Mitchell has had a solid preseason ahead of season 2024 and the tallish, hard two-way runner was pushing for senior selection in his second year at the club.
Mitchell’s push for selection came to fruition over Easter and he certainly made his presence felt.
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