Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell writes a handwritten letter to each of his players before the team plays Fremantle in a do-or-die match that leads to a preliminary final. Multiple outlets report that the letters are delivered ahead of the game and include motivational messages intended to set a tone for the contest.
The three publications describe the letters in similar terms, focusing on the gesture and what it means within the team context rather than on external debate. Each outlet frames the letters as part of the lead-up to the pivotal fixture and highlights Mitchell’s direct communication with players. The pieces differ mainly in presentation style—how they introduce the story and what details they choose to emphasize—but they all centre on the same core event: Mitchell’s handwritten letters delivered to every player.
Overall, the reports agree that the letters are a tangible pre-match initiative by the coach, used to motivate the squad before a high-stakes game against Fremantle.
