Magpies star Tom Mitchell opens up on the two tragic deaths that have rocked him

Collingwood star Tom Mitchell has lifted the lid on the impact the passing of his late grandfather and his beloved dog in just a few months has had on him.

The star midfielder lost Macy in a ‘freak accident’ in a Melbourne park in February and revealed at the time he held his golden retriever in his arms as she died.

‘The best memories over the last 4 years,’ Mitchell posted on Instagram.

‘Nala [his s other golden retriever] and I are heartbroken after a freak accident at the park.

‘Grateful to hold her for her last 10 seconds before she passed in my arms.’

Collingwood star Tom Mitchell revealed the impact losing his beloved dog and his paternal grandfather within two months has had on him 

Mitchell lost his golden retriever Macy to a freak accident in a Melbourne Park in February

Last week, Mitchell found himself dealing with another tragic loss as his paternal grandfather, Billy, passed away just days after the two had sat down for a chat.

‘I had a really good conversation with him before he passed,’ Mitchell told the Herald Sun.

‘We actually had a conversation about his parents and his grandparents who went to war.

‘He’s left some of his medals for me which will be great memories to hold on to.’

Shortly after his grandfather’s death, Mitchell was instrumental in Collingwood’s win over Essendon on Anzac Day as he racked up 23 disposals, six clearances and eight tackles.

Trailing by 28 points at the final change, the Pies kicked 7.2 in the final term to surge to a 13-point win and cement their status as a force to be reckoned this season.

For Mitchell, the Anzac Day triumph held special significance given his loss and he admitted it was impossible not to think about his late grandfather.

‘To have these moments and remember what’s important in life, I feel so grateful to be a part of this,’ he said.  

‘And to be able to celebrate those people.’ 

Mitchell moved to Collingwood in the offseason after six years at Hawthorn and admitted his debut season with the Pies had been complicated by off-field issue that have ‘been a bit challenging this year’

But the 2018 Brownlow Medallist is now settled into his new surroundings and he’s full of praise for boss Craig McRae and his teammates.

The 29-year-old was instrumental as Collingwood won a Anzac Day classic against Essendon

Mitchell finished with 23 disposals as the Pies overcame a 28-point deficit to win by 13

‘Fly [McRae] instils so much confidence in me,’ he explained.

‘So do every one of my teammates. They just want me to get to work on my strengths and I think that’s the best thing about my team – everyone’s in a position to play to their strengths.’

Macy’s tragic passing earlier this season showed how strong Mitchell’s bond with his teammates is some of them tried to help during the ordeal.

‘Big thanks to [ruckman] Darcy Cameron and [former Port Adelaide and Adelaide player] Billy Frampton for helping me try and save her,’ he wrote on Instagram.