Mitch Duncan
Encyclopedia
Mitchell "Mitch" James Duncan (born 10 June 1991) is an Australian rules football
er for the Geelong Football Club
in the Australian Football League
(AFL). A versatile player at 1.88 metres (6.2 ft) tall and weighing 81 kilograms (178.6 lb), Duncan is able to contribute in the forward line
as well as the midfield.
A standout junior footballer, Duncan entered top-level football early by signing for East Perth Football Club
in the WAFL
at the age of sixteen years. His accomplishments as a junior included winning a National Championship with Western Australia, achieving All-Australian honours, selection for Australia in the International Rules Series
, and being awarded an AIS
-AFL Academy
scholarship. Following a decorated junior career, Duncan was selected with Geelong's second pick, and twenty-eighth overall, in the 2009 AFL Draft
.
Duncan made his AFL debut in 2010, and was nominated at the conclusion of the season for the AFLPA Best First Year Player Award
.
, Western Australia and attended Carine Senior High School, before finishing his schooling years at Trinity College
. Playing school football alongside future AFL players Kane Lucas
and Travis Colyer
, Duncan helped Trinity College capture the Alcock Cup—Perth’s private school football tournament—in 2007. Duncan progressed from school football to sign for East Perth Football Club
at the age of sixteen years. He achieved State honours for Western Australia in the under-16s AFL National Championships during 2007, captaining the state side and leading the team in total disposals. Duncan's promising junior performances were rewarded when he received a scholarship within the prestigious AIS-AFL Academy
as part of the 2008 intake. As an academy member, he subsequently participated in the squad tour to South Africa. The following season, Duncan achieved State honours for Western Australian as a bottom-aged player during the AFL National Championships.
At the age of just 17, Duncan was selected to play senior football for East Perth at the beginning of the 2009 WAFL
season. However, a knee injury occurred in the first round of the season forced him to delay further appearances in the senior side. Despite this setback, Duncan's performances for the East Perth under-18s team upon his return again saw him elevated to the senior team for the remainder of the season.
Duncan again received mid-year State honours for Western Australia in the AFL National Championships, and was named vice-captain of the squad. His performances in the championships—during which he averaged 20 disposals at a team-high 75% efficiency, ranked third overall for total marks, and kicked eight goals—earned him end-of-year All-Australian honours and helped Western Australia capture the 2009 National Championship.
Duncan's performances throughout the season saw him rewarded with an invite to the AFL Draft Camp, where he impressed recruiters by placing in the top 15 percent for the agility run, the top 12 per cent for the three-kilometre time trial
and achieving a level of 14.1 in the beep test
.
with their second selection, and was the twenty-eighth overall draft pick in the 2009 AFL Draft
.
, recording 10 disposals and 6 tackles against his childhood team Essendon
. During a round four fixture against Port Adelaide
, Duncan recorded a career–high 20 disposals and 9 marks to help Geelong achieve a 95 point victory. In total, Duncan made 8 senior appearances during his debut season and finished the year ranked third amongst all first-year players in marks per game (5.4), sixth in goals per game (1.0), and sixth in goal assists per game (1.0). His impressive performances throughout the year saw him nominated by his peers for the AFLPA Best First Year Award.
Award.
Duncan's season continued strongly, playing in all but one game, including selections into Geelong's finals teams, and was also selected into the 2011 Grand Final Team as a substitute. He entered the match after forward James Podsiadly dislocated his shoulder. Duncan played an important role gathering 10 possessions and scoring a goal at the 27 minute mark of the third quarter. The Geelong Cats played hard contested football in the fourth quarter and kicked five goals and kept Collingwood goal-less, giving Geelong the 2011 Premiership and Duncan his first Premiership Medallion; the first won by a substitute – introduced in the AFL Rules in 2011.
or within the midfield. As a lead-up forward, he is noted for his strong marking ability and his role in linking-up plays around the ground. Kevin Sheehan
has complimented Duncan on possessing "good foot skills ... on both sides of the body", while showing an "ability to read the game to advantage ... and make excellent decisions".
Duncan's teammate Joel Corey
has also acknowledged his maturity and professionalism, likening his game-day approach to that of Joel Selwood
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er for the Geelong Football Club
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL). A versatile player at 1.88 metres (6.2 ft) tall and weighing 81 kilograms (178.6 lb), Duncan is able to contribute in the forward line
Forward line
In Australian rules football, the forward line refers to a set of attacking positions on the field.The forward line consists of three players, a left and right forward pocket, and a full-forward. Up until approximately 20 years ago, the forward pockets were often the resting rover or ruckman...
as well as the midfield.
A standout junior footballer, Duncan entered top-level football early by signing for East Perth Football Club
East Perth Football Club
The East Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Royals, is an Australian rules football club that is a member of the West Australian Football League...
in the WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
at the age of sixteen years. His accomplishments as a junior included winning a National Championship with Western Australia, achieving All-Australian honours, selection for Australia in the International Rules Series
International Rules Series
The International Rules Series is a senior men's International rules football competition between the Australia international rules football team and the Ireland international rules football team...
, and being awarded an AIS
Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
-AFL Academy
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
scholarship. Following a decorated junior career, Duncan was selected with Geelong's second pick, and twenty-eighth overall, in the 2009 AFL Draft
2009 AFL Draft
The 2009 AFL Draft consists of four opportunities for player acquisitions during the 2009/10 Australian Football League off-season. These were the Trade Week , the National Draft , the Pre-Season Draft and the Rookie Draft .- Trades :In the lead up to the trade week many high profile players such as...
.
Duncan made his AFL debut in 2010, and was nominated at the conclusion of the season for the AFLPA Best First Year Player Award
AFLPA Awards
The AFL Players' Association Awards are a group of awards given annually to players in the Australian Football League, voted for by all AFL players.-Leigh Matthews Trophy:...
.
Early life
Duncan was born in PerthPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Western Australia and attended Carine Senior High School, before finishing his schooling years at Trinity College
Trinity College, Perth
Trinity College, is an independent day school for boys, located in East Perth, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. The school was established in 1962, Trinity is a school in the Edmund Rice Tradition. and is located on reclaimed land adjacent to the Swan River foreshore...
. Playing school football alongside future AFL players Kane Lucas
Kane Lucas
Kane Lucas is an Australian rules footballer who is currently playing with the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League . He is the son of Jack Lucas who played for the Sydney Swans in the 1980s....
and Travis Colyer
Travis Colyer
Travis Colyer is an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.Colyer was selected by Essendon with the 26th pick in the 2009 AFL Draft. He previously played for Claremont in the WAFL, Trinity College, Perth and Marist Football Club...
, Duncan helped Trinity College capture the Alcock Cup—Perth’s private school football tournament—in 2007. Duncan progressed from school football to sign for East Perth Football Club
East Perth Football Club
The East Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Royals, is an Australian rules football club that is a member of the West Australian Football League...
at the age of sixteen years. He achieved State honours for Western Australia in the under-16s AFL National Championships during 2007, captaining the state side and leading the team in total disposals. Duncan's promising junior performances were rewarded when he received a scholarship within the prestigious AIS-AFL Academy
Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
as part of the 2008 intake. As an academy member, he subsequently participated in the squad tour to South Africa. The following season, Duncan achieved State honours for Western Australian as a bottom-aged player during the AFL National Championships.
At the age of just 17, Duncan was selected to play senior football for East Perth at the beginning of the 2009 WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
season. However, a knee injury occurred in the first round of the season forced him to delay further appearances in the senior side. Despite this setback, Duncan's performances for the East Perth under-18s team upon his return again saw him elevated to the senior team for the remainder of the season.
Duncan again received mid-year State honours for Western Australia in the AFL National Championships, and was named vice-captain of the squad. His performances in the championships—during which he averaged 20 disposals at a team-high 75% efficiency, ranked third overall for total marks, and kicked eight goals—earned him end-of-year All-Australian honours and helped Western Australia capture the 2009 National Championship.
Duncan's performances throughout the season saw him rewarded with an invite to the AFL Draft Camp, where he impressed recruiters by placing in the top 15 percent for the agility run, the top 12 per cent for the three-kilometre time trial
Time trial
In many racing sports an athlete will compete in a time trial against the clock to secure the fastest time. In cycling, for example, a time trial can be a single track cycling event, or an individual or team time trial on the road, and either or both of the latter may form components of...
and achieving a level of 14.1 in the beep test
Multi-stage fitness test
The multi-stage fitness test, also known as the bleep test, beep test, pacer test, Leger-test or 20-m shuttle run test, is used by sports coaches and trainers to estimate an athlete's VO2 max...
.
AFL career
Duncan was drafted by the Geelong Football ClubGeelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
with their second selection, and was the twenty-eighth overall draft pick in the 2009 AFL Draft
2009 AFL Draft
The 2009 AFL Draft consists of four opportunities for player acquisitions during the 2009/10 Australian Football League off-season. These were the Trade Week , the National Draft , the Pre-Season Draft and the Rookie Draft .- Trades :In the lead up to the trade week many high profile players such as...
.
2010 season
Duncan made his first appearance for the club during the 2010 NAB Cup, recording 14 disposals, four inside-50s, and two goals on debut. He made his senior debut in the opening round of the 2010 AFL season2010 AFL season
-Premiership season:The draw for the 2010 AFL Premiership Season is not a random selection of matches, but rather is planned by the AFL. It is intended to produce a balanced draw while also providing the fans and television networks with blockbuster games. In a competition with 16 teams and 22...
, recording 10 disposals and 6 tackles against his childhood team Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
. During a round four fixture against Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
, Duncan recorded a career–high 20 disposals and 9 marks to help Geelong achieve a 95 point victory. In total, Duncan made 8 senior appearances during his debut season and finished the year ranked third amongst all first-year players in marks per game (5.4), sixth in goals per game (1.0), and sixth in goal assists per game (1.0). His impressive performances throughout the year saw him nominated by his peers for the AFLPA Best First Year Award.
2011 season
In round three against Port Adelaide he tallied 24 disposals and kicked two long-range goals and was rewarded with the round 3 nomination for the 2011 AFL Rising Star2011 AFL Rising Star
The AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a stand out young player in the Australian Football League. The 2011 Ron Evans Medal will be awarded to one of the 24 nominees. The 2011 award was won by Dyson Heppell of the Essendon Football Club....
Award.
Duncan's season continued strongly, playing in all but one game, including selections into Geelong's finals teams, and was also selected into the 2011 Grand Final Team as a substitute. He entered the match after forward James Podsiadly dislocated his shoulder. Duncan played an important role gathering 10 possessions and scoring a goal at the 27 minute mark of the third quarter. The Geelong Cats played hard contested football in the fourth quarter and kicked five goals and kept Collingwood goal-less, giving Geelong the 2011 Premiership and Duncan his first Premiership Medallion; the first won by a substitute – introduced in the AFL Rules in 2011.
Player profile
Duncan is regarded as a versatile utility player, capable of featuring as a forwardForward line
In Australian rules football, the forward line refers to a set of attacking positions on the field.The forward line consists of three players, a left and right forward pocket, and a full-forward. Up until approximately 20 years ago, the forward pockets were often the resting rover or ruckman...
or within the midfield. As a lead-up forward, he is noted for his strong marking ability and his role in linking-up plays around the ground. Kevin Sheehan
Kevin Sheehan
Kevin 'Shifter' Sheehan is a former Australian rules footballer for Geelong and the current Australian Football League National Talent and International Manager, a member of the AFL football operations sub-committee and a selector for the AFL Rising Star award.Sheehan played 102 games for...
has complimented Duncan on possessing "good foot skills ... on both sides of the body", while showing an "ability to read the game to advantage ... and make excellent decisions".
Duncan's teammate Joel Corey
Joel Corey
Joel Corey is an Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League . A midfielder, tall and weighing , Corey is able to contribute inside or outside while on the ball....
has also acknowledged his maturity and professionalism, likening his game-day approach to that of Joel Selwood
Joel Selwood
Joel Anthony Selwood is an Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League...
.
Statistics
- Statistics are correct as of 24 September 2011 (Round 24, 2011)
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Disposals | Kicks Kick (football) Kicking is a method used by many types of football, including:* Association football* Australian rules football* International rules football* American football* Canadian football* Gaelic football* Rugby league* Rugby union... |
Handballs Handball (Australian rules football) Handball is a term in the sport of Australian rules football which describes a method of disposing of possession of the football by hand. It is the most frequently used alternative to kicking the ball... |
Marks Mark (Australian football) A mark is a skill in Australian rules football where a player cleanly catches a kicked ball that has travelled more than 15 metres without anyone else touching it or the ball hitting the ground.... |
Tackles Tackle (football move) Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend.... |
Goals | Behinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 2010 AFL season -Premiership season:The draw for the 2010 AFL Premiership Season is not a random selection of matches, but rather is planned by the AFL. It is intended to produce a balanced draw while also providing the fans and television networks with blockbuster games. In a competition with 16 teams and 22... |
Geelong | 22 | 8 | 13.6 | 8.4 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| 2011 2011 AFL season The 2011 Australian Football League season was the 115th season of the Australian rules football competition. It was the debut year for , and was scheduled to be the only season to be played with 17 teams... |
Geelong | 22 | 21 | 17.0 | 9.1 | 7.9 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 |
| Career Averages | 29 | 15.3 | 8.8 | 6.6 | 5.1 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | ||
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Disposals | Kicks Kick (football) Kicking is a method used by many types of football, including:* Association football* Australian rules football* International rules football* American football* Canadian football* Gaelic football* Rugby league* Rugby union... |
Handballs Handball (Australian rules football) Handball is a term in the sport of Australian rules football which describes a method of disposing of possession of the football by hand. It is the most frequently used alternative to kicking the ball... |
Marks Mark (Australian football) A mark is a skill in Australian rules football where a player cleanly catches a kicked ball that has travelled more than 15 metres without anyone else touching it or the ball hitting the ground.... |
Tackles Tackle (football move) Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend.... |
Goals | Behinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 2010 AFL season -Premiership season:The draw for the 2010 AFL Premiership Season is not a random selection of matches, but rather is planned by the AFL. It is intended to produce a balanced draw while also providing the fans and television networks with blockbuster games. In a competition with 16 teams and 22... |
Geelong | 22 | 8 | 109 | 67 | 42 | 43 | 18 | 8 | 6 |
| 2011 2011 AFL season The 2011 Australian Football League season was the 115th season of the Australian rules football competition. It was the debut year for , and was scheduled to be the only season to be played with 17 teams... |
Geelong | 22 | 21 | 357 | 192 | 165 | 100 | 49 | 22 | 10 |
| Career Totals | 29 | 466 | 259 | 207 | 143 | 67 | 30 | 16 | ||