Anthony Mitchell (rugby league) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Anthony Mitchell

Personal information
Born	(1989-05-27) 27 May 1989 (age 36) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height	178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight	85 kg (13 st 5 lb)
Playing information
Position	Hooker
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2010–11 Parramatta Eels 7 2 0 0 8 2011–12 Sydney Roosters 16 1 0 0 4 2012–14 North Qld Cowboys 16 1 0 0 4 Total 39 4 0 0 16 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2011–12 Indigenous All Stars 2 0 0 0 0 2016 Queensland Residents 1 0 0 0 0
As of 7 January 2024

Anthony Mitchell, born on May 27, 1989, in Brisbane, Queensland, is a former professional rugby league player from Australia. He played for several teams, including the North Queensland Cowboys, Sydney Roosters, and Parramatta Eels. He also represented the Indigenous All Stars team. Anthony played as a hooker in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Anthony Mitchell's Early Life

Anthony Mitchell spent his early childhood in Brisbane. When he was five years old, his parents separated. His family then moved to Townsville, where he and his brother were raised by their father, Steve, and their grandmother, Margaret.

Starting Rugby League

In Townsville, Anthony began playing rugby league for the Townsville Brothers club. He attended Ignatius Park College, a high school well-known for its rugby league program.

Junior Career Highlights

• In 2006, Anthony was chosen for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) under-18s tour. This tour took him to France and England.
• He represented the Queensland under-19 team in 2007.
• At age 17, he joined the junior system of the Parramatta Eels.
• In 2008, he was a star player for the Eels in the first-ever National Youth Competition. He played in all 26 matches that season.
• In 2009, Anthony played 12 matches in the Toyota Cup. He faced some injuries that year. He also played in different positions, including hooker and five-eighth. He even captained the Eels for two games.

Playing for the Parramatta Eels

Anthony Mitchell spent most of the 2010 season playing for the Eels' feeder team, the Wentworthville Magpies. Near the end of the season, he was called up to play in the first-grade team.

First Grade Debut

Anthony made his first-grade debut for Parramatta against the Brisbane Broncos. He scored a try in that winning game. He played two more games for the club that year. Even with only three NRL games played, Anthony was selected to play for the Indigenous All Stars team. This happened after another player, Preston Campbell, had to pull out due to an injury.

Time with the Sydney Roosters

In 2011, after playing only seven games for Parramatta (four in 2011), Anthony Mitchell signed with the Sydney Roosters in the middle of the season. He played ten games for the Roosters that year.

Indigenous All Stars Selection

In 2012, Anthony was again chosen to play for the Indigenous All Stars team. He made a good impression during his 12 months with the Sydney Roosters, even with limited playing time.

Joining the North Queensland Cowboys

In June 2012, Anthony Mitchell made his second mid-season team switch in two years. After playing seventeen games for the Sydney Roosters (seven in 2012), he signed with his hometown team, the North Queensland Cowboys.

Moving to Townsville

Anthony was released from the Sydney Roosters on June 25, just five days before the June 30 deadline for player transfers. He arrived in Townsville the very next day and had his first training session with the Cowboys team. That same week, Anthony played against the New Zealand Warriors, wearing the number 19 jersey. He was a late addition to the team and played for 60 minutes, impressing the coaches. This earned him a spot on the interchange bench for the next game against the Melbourne Storm.

Dream Come True

Anthony Mitchell shared that playing for the North Queensland Cowboys was a dream come true for him. He said he had no regrets about leaving the Sydney Roosters mid-season. He scored his first try for the Cowboys in their 29–16 win against the Wests Tigers in round 19 of the 2012 season. His contract with the North Queensland team lasted until the end of the 2013 season.

Key Game Moments

In round 25 of the 2012 season, Anthony was a last-minute replacement for the injured halfback Michael Morgan. He played a part in all three of the North Queensland's tries. The Cowboys held off a strong attack by Newcastle late in the first half and won the match 22–14.

Playing for Townsville Blackhawks

Anthony Mitchell left the North Queensland Cowboys when his contract ended at the close of the 2014 season. He then joined the newly formed Townsville Blackhawks team in the Queensland Cup competition.

Retirement from Rugby League

After playing three seasons with the Townsville Blackhawks, including one as captain, Anthony Mitchell retired from rugby league at the end of 2017. He finished his career as the Townsville Blackhawks' most-capped player, meaning he played the most games for the team.

Life After Playing Rugby League

In 2022, Anthony Mitchell helped start the Nines Premier League. This is a special 9-a-side rugby league tournament held every year during the Australia Day weekend.

Growth of the Nines Premier League

Since it began, the competition has grown very quickly. It is now seen as the top 9-a-side rugby league event in the world. By its third year in 2025, the tournament featured over 100 former professional rugby league players. It also attracted more than 250,000 viewers through broadcasts on Kayo Sports, LevelPlay, and Digicel. The Nines Premier League has become a major event in the rugby league calendar. It is a great way to show off both new and experienced rugby league talent.