Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell suffered from pneumonia while on holiday in New York and will have a phased return to coaching duties, with doctors advising him to take it easy after his discharge from hospital. The club’s general manager of football, Rob McCartney, confirmed the news and stated that while Mitchell’s health is improving, he still needs time to fully recover. The team is confident that their coaching group will adequately prepare the players in Mitchell’s absence. Mitchell’s return to full health is the top priority.