Mitch Owens
Mitchito "Mitch" Owens (born 24 September 2003) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was drafted in the 2021 AFL Draft at pick number 33 overall.
| Mitch Owens | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Mitchito Owens | ||
| Date of birth | 24 September 2003 | ||
| Original team(s) | Sandringham Dragons | ||
| Draft | No. 33, 2021 AFL draft | ||
| Debut | Round 1, 2022, St Kilda vs. Collingwood, at Marvel Stadium | ||
| Height | 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | St Kilda | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Playing career | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2022– | St Kilda | 7 (3) | |
| Source: AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early football career
Playing for Beaumaris as a junior, Owens was awarded best on ground in the upset 2015 grand final win over Prahran.[1] He played forward pocket for Beaumaris in 2019 and played school football for Mentone Grammar in the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria competition.
Owens was a member of St Kilda's Next Generation Academy, a pathway for indigenous and multicultural footballers who are typically under-represented and clubs incentivised with draft concessions.[2]
In his draft year, Owens was tipped as a potential first-round draft pick after averaging 23.3 disposals, 5.7 marks and 3/7 inside 50s from his final three NAB League games.[3] Owens played for the Sandringham Dragons in the NAB League and impressed in a game against Greater Western Victoria Rebels, collecting 25 disposals, seven clearances and five inside-50s. Owens was also a late call-up to Vic Metro's clash with Vic Country in July and picked up 29 disposals and a goal.[4]
AFL career
At the AFL draft on 25 November 2021, St Kilda matched a bid by Sydney with draft points for Owens and ultimately took him with pick 33 overall.[5] Owens made his AFL debut in Round 1 2022 against Collingwood, collecting six disposals and two tackles. He was dropped back to the VFL following his debut game.
Owens earned a recall to the senior team in Round 11 against North Melbourne and put in an impressive display with 14 disposals, 10 tackles and 2 goals, however in the following game against Brisbane a concussion forced him to sit on the sidelines for several weeks.
References
- ^ "#ThrowbackThursday – 2015 U12 West Grand Final". SMJFL. 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results". afl.com.au. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "AFL Draft Whispers: Rival could pinch Mitch Owens from Saints' grasp; Wanganeen unlikely to be nominated for father-son". Fox Sports. 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "Twomey's Draft Team of the Year: NGA Saint steps up, Cannons mid firing". afl.com.au. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
- ^ "Owens makes history as inaugural Academy selection". saints.com.au. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
External links
Mitch Owens's profile on the official website of the St Kilda Football Club