Robert Harvey was better than me: Mitchell

West Coast midfielder Sam Mitchell admits his new possession record is somewhat deceiving, saying he doesn’t feel on the same level as his childhood hero Robert Harvey.

Mitchell’s 31-disposal effort in Sunday’s eight-point loss to GWS was the 119th time he has cracked the 30-possession mark in a game.

Harvey held the previous record of 118, and Mitchell was quick to point out the St Kilda legend’s feat was more impressive than his own.

“I grew up a St Kilda supporter watching Robert Harvey very often,” Mitchell said of Harvey, who played 383 games and won two Brownlow medals during a decorated career.

“It’s a bit of a different game now – there’s 450 possessions in a game, whereas back then there was probably 350.

“So it’s a bit easier now. It won’t be too long until I get passed by one of these young guns who are getting 40 or 50 every now and then.

“When someone talks about Robert Harvey and Sam Mitchell in the same breath, I feel a bit of goosebumps.

“But I don’t think I’m quite the player that Robert Harvey was just quietly.”

Mitchell, who crossed from Hawthorn at the end of last season, has enjoyed a strong start to his career at West Coast.

The four-time premiership midfielder has averaged 26.7 possessions per game across the first 10 rounds.

And the 34-year-old kicked his first goal since 2015 in Sunday’s eight-point loss to GWS.

West Coast’s midfield got smashed against the Giants, with the Eagles losing the clearance count 53-32.

Mitchell spent a bit less time in the midfield than usual.

But he denied he needed to be there for longer periods in order to ensure the midfield group stays competitive.

“I don’t think me being in there more is going to help the team any more,” Mitchell said.

“When I go out of there, it’s usually an Elliot Yeo that goes in – he’s a pretty good player.

“We are trying lots of things, because we know what we’re doing at the moment isn’t working.

“We need to at least break even in that area so we cna get the game played in our half.”

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