South Australian Football Budget -Round 18 2024 - Vol 98 - No. 18 16-17 August August

MUTCH TRAVELLED

BY STEVE BARRETT

Kobe Mutch’s far-and-wide football footprint reads like an episode of the Leyland Brothers. Starting out at Broken Hill – where his mum worked at a hair salon with Taylor Walker’s mum – Mutch, at 14, moved with his family to the small New South Wales town of Gol Gol, just above the Victorian border.

At 16, he packed his bags and trekked 400km down the Murray Valley Highway to attend Bendigo Senior Secondary College and play TAC football with the Pioneers. A top-age under-18 All-Australian in 2016 representing the Allies, Mutch was drafted by Essendon, where he played five AFL games in four seasons. His next stop was Adelaide, winning a SANFL premiership with Woodville-West Torrens before switching to South Adelaide where he currently stars for the Panthers.

“It’s been quite a journey,” Mutch said with a laugh. Plan A was for the winding expedition to end at Windy Hill and for Mutch to enjoy a long career with the Bombers, who he supported growing up. It didn’t pan out that way. Mutch won Essendon’s VFL best-and-fairest in 2017 and made a promising AFL debut in 2018 but injuries soon intervened. He suffered a high-grade hamstring injury minutes into his only 2019 appearance before a broken wrist and concussion hindered his 2020. “I was definitely a bit unlucky but I also didn’t take the opportunities when I had them, so I don’t go ‘poor me’,” said Mutch, who was taken by the Bombers with the 42nd pick in the 2016 draft. “I didn’t have the career anyone would dream of. It was an awesome experience, though.”

A childhood ambition had been realised for Mutch, who grew up idolising legendary Bomber James Hird. “If he’d played the week before in long sleeves, then I’d play in long sleeves,” Mutch said. “If he changed to short sleeves, I’d change to short sleeves.” Mutch was so enamoured with the 1996 Brownlow Medallist he turned himself from a left-footer into a right-footer.

“I started off as a natural lefty, then believe it or not I switched to the right because of James Hird,” said Mutch, who was named after another sporting superstar, NBA icon Kobe Bryant. “I didn’t want to kick on my left because he didn’t.”

With the Covid pandemic creating uncertainty around the VFL and tough lockdown conditions in Melbourne, Mutch took the SANFL path. He was “95 per cent” over the line to sign with Glenelg, after earlier chats with North and Norwood, before then Eagles coach Jade Sheedy swooped in late with a successful pitch. It proved a terrific call. Mutch suffered a shoulder dislocation in his SANFL debut before returning, switching from the wing to the guts and starring in the Eagles’ 67-point grand final trouncing of the Tigers.

“It was an amazing day,” said Mutch, who finished third for the Jack Oatey Medal behind unanimous winner Jack Hayes and Riley Knight. “It’s always nice winning a flag and feeling like you contributed a lot. It was the

highlight of my footy career, even more than making my (AFL) debut and getting drafted.”

In September 2022 a “lifestyle decision” prompted Mutch’s decision to switch from the Eagles to South, where he is now well settled, living at Sellicks Beach.

“I love the beaches and the lifestyle. It seemed more country and just appealed to me,” said Mutch, who works as a personal trainer at SA Aquatic Centre at Oaklands Park. “It (leaving) was nothing to do with the Eagles as a footy club, moreso the lifestyle of living down south.”

Mutch knows there are no shortcuts to the young Panthers’ rebuild but the long-time journeyman is invested long-term. “I’ve always been someone who wants to play at the highest level and for as long as possible,” he said. “Even though I’m entering my prime, I dare say I’d be top-seven oldest here, maybe even higher. That’s the journey we’re on. It’s going to be exciting in the coming years, for sure.” sanfl.com.au

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