Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has taken over the top job at the Hawks with much hype surrounding the four-time premiership player.
After taking over from Alistair Clarkson at the end of 2021 Mitchell has taken a very hands-on approach to his role. That includes the people he surrounds himself with.
Mitchell has been joined by a number of new faces in the Hawthorn coaches box, including former West Coast assistant Adrian Hickmott. The former Cat and Blue hard-man had been at the Eagles for a decade before making the move.
Speaking toย Zero Hanger,ย Hickmott said that Mitchell was a driving force behind his desire to return to Victoria.
"I spent 11 years in Perth, so a fair while, Hickmott said.
"Sam came over in 2017 and then coached in 2018 so we built a relationship. I like the way he thinks, his values, character, his footy mind was really impressive.
"He was just starting his coaching journey and he's Sam Mitchell, a great player but his willingness to learn was fascinating to me and helped build the relationship more and more."
Hickmott said that he and Mitchell had remained in contact after the skilful midfielders time at West Coast as a player and assistant. Those conversations eventuated in Hickmott coming across to the Hawks.
"We would give each other a call (after he came back to Hawthorn). We'd been in contact since he'd left and have a good friendship," Hickmott said.
"He rang me and said 'how would you like to move across?' I'd been at West Coast for 10 or so years so it had been a long time so this was a good change for my development."
The new assistant said that it was a refreshing change to be at the Hawks after such a long period at the Eagles. He said that the environment the Hawks had created as a family club had played a part in his move also.
"Different ideas, new club, new coaches, new players. When I came here I was pretty nervous, and I haven't felt like that in a long time," Hickmott admitted.
"The energy of a family club is exciting to come to and as 'Mitch' said before, we are still working ourselves out a bit, as a coaching group, a playing group.
"He's an intelligent man, his footy nouse and the way he came into AFL footy- he had to work hard for it. Guys that have to work a bit harder for their footy career can understand the game a little bit more. Even when he played he was coaching at the same time."
