While he is realistic about his dream of playing in the AFL, 18-year-old Somes has a better chance than most, having been offered a $7000 scholarship to play with Sydney University in the Sydney AFL competition this year.

Mitchell, the son of Neale and Kay Somes of Forbes, was offered the scholarship recently after completing his HSC at St Ignatius’ College, Riverview.

Mitchell spent the last three years of his secondary schooling as a boarder at the Sydney college, and was a key member of the school’s Australian Rules side.

St Ignatius and Sydney University have had a long academic and sporting association and after impressing the university coaches, Mitchell was offered the scholarship to study at the uni, and continue his AFL development.

While the local profile of AFL pales in comparison to other football codes, Mitchell’s passion for the game started here in Forbes, when all-time leading goalkicker Tony Lockett was a guest of the Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

While visiting for the awards, the former Sydney Swan full-forward held a coaching clinic and 10-year-old Mitchell was bitten by the AFL bug.

“I went along to the clinic and I’ve loved it ever since,” Mitchell said last week.

The young Somes spent two years with the Forbes Auskick club, learning the basics of the game, and when old enough, joined Parkes Panthers under 13s.

The Panthers switched from the Central West AFL to the Northern Riverina competition the following year and Mitchell was named best and fairest in the under 14s team.

Mitchell often doubled up, playing for the Panthers under 17s as well, and the same year he won his first premiership.

The next season he graduated as a full-time member of the 17s and was runner-up in the side’s best and fairest count.

The ability to continue playing Aussie Rules was a contributing factor in the move to Riverview in 2007, when as a member of the college’s first 18, Mitchell won another premiership.