By Colin MacGillivray

Ararat Eagles football officials are already working on plans to bring Tom Mitchell back to the region after the success of the Brownlow medallist’s one-off match on Saturday.

Despite rainy conditions, Mitchell helped draw a large crowd of onlookers to the Eagles’ 12.12 (84) to 8.15 (63) loss to rival Tatyoon.

Eagles club president Josh Taurau was full of praise for the former Sydney, Hawthorn and Collingwood superstar.

“Tommy was great. He’s an absolute ripper bloke,” Taurau said.

“The crowd was up and it was a massive day for the club in general.

“I think he’ll be spending a bit more time here. We’re looking at doing a few junior clinics with him as well, so it hopefully won’t be the last we see of him.”

Taurau said Mitchell was generous with his time, signing autographs, posing for photos and speaking at the club’s sportsman’s night.

“The kids loved it. I’ve never seen so many pairs of shoes get signed. Even the Tatyoon kids were loving it – they were everywhere as well,” Taurau said.

“At the sportsman’s night he touched on his career and the best players he’d played with, because he’s obviously played with some absolute superstars at the three clubs he played for.

“He had a bit of a chat about the toll the game takes on the mental health of some of the players and said the AFL should probably introduce a mental-health round.”

While the Eagles were bested on the field, Taurau said Mitchell was influential.

“He played really well. He’s bloody fit,” Taurau said.

“He had plenty of the ball. Obviously the conditions weren’t great for anyone, so his skills probably showed a little bit more than most.”

For the visitors, former coach Andy Challis, Lachie McGrath and Josh Lee kicked two goals each, with McGrath’s second virtually sealing the contest. Apart from Mitchell, Ararat’s best included midfielder Tom Cousins and co-coach Tom Taurau with three goals.

Next up for Ararat is Moyston-Willaura, which is coming off a 94-point loss to Wickliffe-Lake Bolac.

The Magpies put the Pumas to the sword in the second term, kicking 6.4 to a single behind to effectively end the contest.

The likes of Blake Hider, Adan Wisby and Will Lawrie stood up for Moyston-Willaura in the 17.19 (121) to 3.9 (27) loss.

Round three was also a difficult one for Great Western, which left its run too late in a 10.8 (68) to 3.12 (30) loss to SMW Rovers.

The Lions managed only one goal through the first three terms, and while they controlled the majority of the play in the last quarter, errant kicking – 2.8 for the term – ended any thoughts of a comeback.

Other matches on Saturday saw reigning premier Lismore-Derrinallum down Hawkesdale-Macarthur 19.10 (124) to 8.3 (51), Caramut shock Penshurst 20.17 (137) to 6.17 (53) and Woorndoo-Mortlake account for Glenthompson-Dunkeld 14.13 (97) to 7.6 (48).

In addition to the game between the Eagles and Pumas at Willaura this weekend, other matches include Great Western at home against Lismore-Derrinallum, Tatyoon host Glenthompson-Dunkeld, Hawkesdale-Macarthur welcome Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, Penshurst will attempt to rebound against a visiting SMW Rovers and Caramut is away to Woorndoo-Mortlake.

The entire May 6, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!