Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says his players are determined to move on from the fallout over the off-season arrests of Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald in the US, declaring the pair have taken responsibility for their actions.
Body camera footage of the pair being talked down from a scissor lift and arrested by Arizona police in November last year emerged publicly this week, thrusting the issue back into the spotlight, but Mitchell insisted Hawthorn was comfortable with how it had already dealt with the matter internally.
Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald in action for the Hawks against Essendon after news of their escapades in Arizona came to light.Credit: AFL Photos
“For us, this is all new sort of stories for you guys, and the vision itself is new to us,” Mitchell said on Wednesday. “But those two boys have taken responsibility for their behaviour, which they were not proud of.”
Mitchell said both players were “very upfront and honest” with the club from the outset, and he hoped the release of the footage would allow them to move forward.
“I hope that they feel a bit lighter, even if they are a bit embarrassed,” he said. “They should feel a bit lighter and they can move on.”
Mitchell also appeared on Channel Seven’s The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night, where he confirmed he’d spoken by phone to members of the Hawthorn group in Arizona earlier on the night Moore and Macdonald were charged and had no reason at that time to be concerned they’d end up in trouble. Noting that drug possession allegations initially levelled against the pair were quickly withdrawn, Mitchell told the program he did not believe his club had an issue with drugs.
“That charge has been dismissed, so I can’t really add anything to that. I was enormously disappointed in the behaviour and you’ve seen some of it now (through the bodycam footage),” Mitchell said.
“None of it is a surprise because they were really upfront about it right from the start.”
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell.Credit: Getty Images
Panellist Caroline Wilson told the program Hawthorn were advised at the time of the incident to make the matter public, asking Mitchell if the club rejected keeping it under wraps for three months, but the coach said he was unaware if such advice was offered by league headquarters.
Both players were charged with criminal trespass, with court records showing Moore has a sentencing hearing at the Scottsdale City Court on July 13, and Macdonald listed to face court on August 4. The Hawks don’t believe the players will have to face those charges in person.
Mitchell said he did not expect the situation would have any ongoing impact on the pair’s form or availability.
“My understanding is most of the legal proceedings are completed,” he said on Wednesday. “There’s a couple of extra things to go through, but I don’t think it will be affecting their form or anything to do with what we’re doing on a weekly basis.”
Mitchell also reiterated his pride in Moore and Macdonald’s performances last week when they played against Essendon under the scrutiny of the scandal which became public days earlier.
While the off-field storyline continues to generate attention, Hawthorn’s list build remains firmly in focus – particularly its pursuit of elite midfield talent.
Mitchell again refused to be drawn on the future of Essendon’s Zach Merrett after reports the Bombers had tabled a lucrative long-term contract extension to retain their former captain. Mitchell joked he had begun counting how many times he had been asked about the star onballer.
“I think that’s 11 (questions) now,” Mitchell said. “And the answers are the same – we won’t talk about opposition players.”
“As a list management department, we want to get the best possible list we can that will help us win premierships. That’s the job of every list management group in the league.
“How we go about that, who we target? You’ll find out in the trade period.”
Merrett has long been viewed as a prime target for rival clubs – particularly the Hawks who tried to secure him in last year’s trade period.
Meanwhile, Mitchell turned his attention to this week’s on-field challenge against ladder leaders Sydney, warning his side cannot afford complacency regardless of the Swans losing star midfielder Errol Gulden (shoulder) to a long-term injury and having Isaac Heeney (hamstring) under a fitness cloud.
“They’re a very good side playing really good footy,” he said. “You can’t have a lapse against Sydney – even 10 minutes – because they can put a score on very quickly.”
Mitchell pointed to Hawthorn’s opening round loss to GWS as a reminder of the dangers of underestimating undermanned opposition.
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