Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has been discharged from a New York hospital after suffering a bout of pneumonia. The 41-year-old was travelling with his family in the United States when he started feeling ill last week.

Mitchell was admitted to New York University Hospital over the weekend and spent Christmas Day there but has since been released. 7News reporter Mitch Cleary says the AFL coach’s condition is improving day by day but he will stay in New York until he is in a position to safely return to Australia. The Hawks coach remains in the United States with his wife, Lyndall, and three kids.

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Earlier this week Hawthorn chief executive Ashley Klein said the club has been in regular contact with the Mitchell family. “Importantly, Sam is improving and recovering well,” Klein said in a statement.

“The club has been in regular contact with (Sam’s wife) Lyndall, and we will obviously continue to provide support in any way we can. We would like to express our thanks to the NYU hospital and its medical team for their care and support.”

The former Hawthorn player has just finished his second season as Hawks head coach and has a 15-30 record in his two seasons in charge of the side since taking over from Alastair Clarkson. Mitchell won four premierships with the Hawks as a player and finished his 329-game playing career with West Coast in 2017.

Kane Cornes believes Jack Ginnivan has already stuffed up at Hawthorn

The Hawks have struggled under Mitchell’s leadership, but there are hopes of a turnaround in 2024, with the massive boost of the scalp of Collingwood premiership winner Jack Ginnivan. However, Kane Cornes questioned whether the young gun had already made a mistake at his new club.

Ginnivan wasn’t required on the first day of the Hawks’ pre-season in November after playing in Collingwood’s grand final triumph over Brisbane. The side gave the midfielder until mid-December off so he could have a rest after Collingwood’s premiership campaign.

But according to Port Adelaide 300-gamer Cornes, the 20-year-old should have fronted up off his own bat. The radio host pointed out several players at other clubs who made the effort to show up even though they weren’t required to do so.

“I don’t think with Dylan (Stephens) and his experience he was required to be there, but he turned up at his new club (North Melbourne) and he won the (running) test,” Cornes said on SEN radio. “Jy Simpkin was there, he didn’t need to be there. Liam Shiels was out there in season number 16. I thought, ‘Good on you Liam for turning up and setting the example which is what you’re there to do’.

“At the Bombers, Dyson Heppell was there. Todd Goldstein was even there, this guy is 34 years of age. At the Hawks, James Sicily was there, Dylan Moore was there, and James Worpel was there, they didn’t need to be there. One player who wasn’t there was Jack Ginnivan.

“Jack Ginnivan needed to be there, I don’t care what anyone says. He wasn’t required to be there by law because he played long in the season, he played in the grand final. That means you get extra leave and he’s probably not required back for some time yet. But if you were ever going to want to have a first impression, Jack Ginnivan needed to be at his new club on day one of pre-season.”