He was one of the shortest-priced favourites in memory, but the hype around Tom Mitchell has finally been justified after the Hawthorn star took out the 2018 Brownlow Medal.
The Hawks ball-magnet was everywhere in 2018, and despite his side's failure to avoid a straight-sets exit in the finals, his role in pushing the Hawks into the top four was undeniable.
In the 2018 home and away season, Mitchell hit 50 disposals twice - including starting the year with a guaranteed three vote performance with 54 disposals, nine clearances and eight inside 50s in Hawthorn's win over Collingwood.
In 11 games in the home and away season, Mitchell had 40 disposals or more. Yep, ball-magnet.
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He finished 2018 with 786 disposals from 22 home and away games - only on four occasions did Mitchell register below 25 touches in a game.
Mitchell took out the 3AW, The Age and AFL Nation Player of the Year awards, while he finished second to Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy for the Herald Sun Player of the Year gong.
The Hawthorn star was prolific in 2018, but Dustin Martin's 2017 record of 36 votes didn't cop the dusting some predicted.
Mitchell's 28 votes were four in front of Collingwood veteran Steele Sidebottom, with Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw jumping to third.
Carlton's Patrick Cripps and Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn rounded out the top five.
However, the night was all about Mitchell, who was humbled by the honour, despite having to battle past the overwhelming favourite's tag.
"It can be challenge to get away from at times," Mitchell said of the hype.
"I've had great support around me; my girlfriend Hannah, family and friends who have got me through and have made it a lot easier for me to enjoy my football.
"Having fun along the way is very important."
Mitchell became the first Hawthorn player since his namesake Sam in 2012 to take out the Brownlow.
"It's a great feeling," Mitchell said.
"I remember watching these events as a young kid and seeing some of my favourite players.
"I idolised Gary Ablett and Sam Mitchell and they were two players that received this medal. It's a surreal feeling to be in the same position."
Mitchell and Sidebottom emerged in the later rounds as the two clear combatants for the honour, but a one-vote performance against Geelong in round 21 took the Hawks star eight votes clear with just two matches remaining, wrapping up the medal.
"The exciting thing about the Brownlow is that it's so unpredictable," Mitchell said.
"No one knows what's going to happen. I was sitting there like everyone else, a little bit unsure. Steele had an outstanding season, he thoroughly deserved the medal.
"It was always going to be a tight finish, whoever was in the running. But I was fortunate enough to just come away with it."
It was a massive year for Tom Mitchell, and the Hawthorn star was duly rewarded with his maiden Brownlow.
Check out the breakdown of Mitchell's 2018 season.
TOM MITCHELL: HOW HE WON THE BROWNLOW
R1: Hawthorn 15.11 (101) def. Collingwood 9.13 (67)
54 disposals; nine clearances; eight inside 50s
Brownlow votes: 3
R2: Hawthorn 17.16 (118) def. Geelong 18.9 (117)
40 disposals; 13 clearances; nine inside 50s; two goals
Brownlow votes: 3
R3: Hawthorn 13.11 (89) def. by Richmond 15.12 (102)
42 disposals; 11 clearances; eight tackles; one goal
Brownlow votes: 3
R4: Hawthorn 18.7 (115) def. Melbourne 6.12 (48)
24 disposals; 14 clearances; five tackles
R5: Hawthorn 11.4 (70) def. by North Melbourne 14.14 (98)
19 disposals; six tackles; five inside 50s
R6: Hawthorn 13.11 (89) def. St Kilda 7.12 (54)
45 disposals; nine clearances; three tackles
Brownlow votes: 2
R7: Hawthorn 13.12 (90) def Essendon 10.7 (67)
29 disposals; eight clearances; 10 tackles
R8: Hawthorn 10.11 (71) def. by Sydney 12.7 (79)
20 disposals; seven clearances; four tackles
R9: Hawthorn 11.7 (73) def. by Brisbane 20.9 (129)
46 disposals; 11 clearances; one goal
R10: Hawthorn 9.6 (60) def. by West Coast 11.9 (75)
28 disposals; six clearances; 10 tackles
R11: Hawthorn 9.10 (64) def. Port Adelaide 9.7 (61)
28 disposals; eight tackles; eight marks
Brownlow votes: 3
R12: BYE
R13: Hawthorn 12.16 (88) def. Adelaide 4.8 (32)
40 disposals; nine clearances; six inside 50s
Brownlow votes: 2
R14: Hawthorn 13.18 (96) def. Gold Coast 5.13 (43)
31 disposals; four inside 50s; three marks
Brownlow votes: 1
R15: Hawthorn 13.6 (84) def. by GWS Giants 13.17 (95)
50 disposals; nine clearances; 13 tackles
Brownlow votes: 2
R16: Hawthorn 19.8 (122) def. Western Bulldogs 9.5 (59)
27 disposals; nine clearances; seven tackles
R17: Hawthorn 9.11 (65) def. by Brisbane Lions 15.8 (98)
43 disposals; seven tackles; seven marks
R18: Hawthorn 18.16 (124) def. Carlton 7.10 (52)
46 disposals; nine tackles; two goals
Brownlow votes: 3
R19: Hawthorn 17.10 (112) def. Fremantle 7.11 (53)
42 disposals; nine marks; eight inside 50s
Brownlow votes: 3
R20: Hawthorn 16.11 (107) def. Essendon 16.7 (103)
43 disposals; 13 clearances; seven inside 50s
Brownlow votes: 2
R21: Hawthorn 10.11 (71) def. Geelong 8.12 (60)
32 disposals; six clearances; seven tackles
Brownlow votes: 1
R22: Hawthorn 12.8 (80) def. St Kilda 11.10 (76)
33 disposals; six clearances; six tackles
R23: Hawthorn 12.11 (83) def. Sydney 10.14 (74)
24 disposals; seven clearances; 11 tackles
NON-POLLING GAMES
QF: Hawthorn 9.10 (64) def. by Richmond 13.17 (95)
38 disposals; 11 clearances; four tackles
EF: Hawthorn 10.11 (71) def. by Melbourne 16.8 (104)
24 disposals; eight clearances; 10 tackles
TOM MITCHELL: KEY 2018 STATISTICS
| 2018 RANK | AVERAGE | TOTAL | |
| 1st | DISPOSALS | 35.3 | 848 |
| 2nd | HANDBALLS | 19.1 | 459 |
| 1st | CLEARANCES | 8.0 | 192 |
| 4th | KICKS | 16.2 | 389 |
| 5th | TACKLES | 6.3 | 152 |
| 4th | INSIDE 50s | 4.9 | 118 |
| 2nd | CONTESTED POSS. | 16.2 | 388 |
| 3rd | UNCONTESTED POSS. | 19.4 | 465 |
BROWNLOW MEDAL 2018: TABLE
| PLAYER | CLUB | VOTES | |
| 1st | Tom Mitchell | Hawthorn | 28 |
| 2nd | Steele Sidebottom | Collingwood | 24 |
| 3rd | Angus Brayshaw | Melbourne | 21 |
| =4th | Patrick Cripps | Carlton | 20 |
| =4th | Max Gawn | Melbourne | 20 |
| =6th | Rory Laird | Adelaide | 19 |
| =6th | Dustin Martin | Richmond | 19 |
| =8th | Jack Steven | St Kilda | 18 |
| =8th | Dayne Beams | Brisbane | 18 |
| 10th | Brodie Grundy | Collingwood | 17 |
BROWNLOW MEDAL 2018: OTHER MAJOR AWARDS
JACK HIGGINS: GOAL OF THE YEAR
The pint-sized Richmond star sent footy into a frenzy when, back in round 19 against Collingwood, he nailed a bicycle kick.
The 19-year-old's crazy goal - where he floated the ball around the post, prompting debate about its legality - got the nod ahead of Brisbane's Charlie Cameron and Sydney's Luke Parker.
His larrikinisms were on show as he accepted the award - but he was adamant it wasn't a throw.
"My heart's pumping a thousand minutes per second, so if I screw it up, don't hate on me," Higgins said.
"I got there and I saw the goalpost and it wasn't a throw, but I dropped the ball around and kicked the goal," Higgins said.
"It wasn't a throw."
Higgins will pocket $10,000 for winning the Goal of the Year.
Jack Higgins has been awarded the 2018 @coateshire Goal of the Year. pic.twitter.com/zJMFEd7QA5
— AFL (@AFL) September 24, 2018
ISAAC HEENEY: MARK OF THE YEAR
The Swans flyer reached new heights - literally - against Melbourne back in 21.
An unsuspecting Jesse Hogan didn't know what hit him as Heeney came down with snow on himself.
Heeney's grab beat out Fremantle's Michael Walters and Brisbane's Charlie Cameron, who was also nominated for goal of the year.
Congratulations to Isaac Heeney, the 2018 winner of the @woolworths Mark of the Year. pic.twitter.com/oCs9nq61zq
— AFL (@AFL) September 24, 2018
