Thorp, a much-hyped junior centre-half forward from Tasmania, was taken by Hawthorn with pick six in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, one pick ahead of Joel Selwood. But his career ended three years later after only two senior games.
Several serious injuries and queries over his attitude left him on the AFL scrapheap when the Hawks axed him with a year to go on his contract at the end of 2009.
Now, almost four years down the track, Thorp has changed. He is a young father and also a mentor to a host of other young men at South Launceston in the Tasmanian State League.
Thorp's leadership on and off the field since taking over as playing coach in 2012 has played a key role in dragging the perennial strugglers up the TSL ladder.
He has helped the club grow, but the relationship has been symbiotic.
There have never been any doubts about Thorp's immense talent, but his personal development in recent years means his AFL dream may still have a pulse. The fact he's playing great football helps, of course.
Coupled with his outstanding form in the TSL, Thorp was a class above in last week's representative clash with the NEAFL Eastern Conference at Skoda Stadium, finishing with 19 touches, 12 marks and 6.3 as Tassie won comfortably.
The performance made Thorp wonder about another shot at the elite level.
"I would absolutely love another crack," he told AFL.com.au.
"I'm more mature now, both as a player and a person. It's helped my footy for sure.
"I was first drafted as a country kid, and I was a bit overawed by the whole thing. I'm 24 now, more mature, coaching the club and helping all the guys in our team become better footballers.
"I'm a young father, I'm engaged and … just in a good place.
"I'd have no hesitation of moving interstate to chase another crack. "
Thorp only played two games for the Hawks, spaced two years apart - he made his debut in round 15, 2007, but was not seen again until round two, 2009. And that was it.
The 194cm forward admits he didn't make the most of his time at Waverley. The exit was painful, and Thorp admits he was to blame.
"It was difficult, I did take it really hard," he said of being dumped by the Hawks.
"I was drafted quite high and with that, there's high expectations and I really didn't handle it well.
"The club had some really good players, especially big guys like Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead. Then I started getting injured, which was hard.
"But my maturity just wasn't there. I deserved to be delisted.
"Looking back though, it's probably held me in good stead as a person. I had to grow up. Coaching has been great in that respect as you have to worry about all the boys and bring them all together."
After a stint with Werribee in the VFL, Thorp headed back to play with his brothers at South Launceston. He became the youngest senior coach in TSL history.
Despite some initial scepticism, Bulldogs president Ian Goninon said Thorp had been outstanding since moving back home.
"There was a bit of criticism when the appointment was made but Mitch has been nothing short of brilliant on and off the field," he said.
"He leads by example, he's really determined to succeed and that rubs off on everyone."
Whether AFL clubs decide to take another chance on a previously wayward talent won't be known until the end of the season.
Thorp's manager, Liam Pickering, has told his client there have been a few ripples of interest this year, but the former brash boy from the bush doesn't want to look too far ahead.
He's just concentrating on playing and coaching with the Bulldogs, but he is firm in his belief that he'd make the most of a second chance.
"I'm just worried about South Launceston at the moment. But I know I'd make a much better fist of it (the AFL) if I got another crack."
Niall Seewang is a sub-editor at AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_NSeewang
