Friday, 21 September 2018:

TOM MITCHELL of the Hawks in action during the 2018 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia.

Brownlow Medal favourite Tom Mitchell is set to undergo shoulder surgery next week following AFL's night of nights.

Mitchell was crunched in the first quarter of last Friday's semi-final by Melbourne defender Neville Jetta.

The ball magnet played the rest of the knock-out fixture, which the Hawks lost by 33 points, but was in great discomfort.

Mitchell has revealed he would have been an unlikely starter in Saturday's preliminary final, had the Hawks defeated the Demons.

"I don't think I would have got up to play. Which would have been disappointing," Mitchell told the Nine Network.

"Looks like it (will require surgery).

"Maybe Wednesday I might try to get it looked at, fixed up.

"I should be stronger and better for next year."

Mitchell will attend the Brownlow Medal count in Melbourne on Monday, when he is fully expected to be crowned the league's best and fairest.

"I don't really have any expectations," Mitchell insisted.

The 25-year-old, who averaged 35.7 possessions per game during the regular season, has already been named the AFL Players' Association MVP.

AAP