Having overcome torn ankle ligaments suffered in last year's semi-final victory over Carlton, Mitchell played in the opening four matches of this season before another ankle setback.
He returned via the NEAFL and quickly found touch – including an extraordinary 64-possession, four-goal effort back in May – but he dropped out of the senior team just as it was hitting its straps.
The Swans equalled the club record with a 12-game winning streak through the middle of the year, starting the week Mitchell fell out of the team, as they surged to the top of the table.
Another ankle problem and then a knee injury meant the 21-year-old was unable to get any continuity with his training, giving him no chance of a senior recall.
But late in the year, injuries actually aided his cause.
A calf problem to Ben McGlynn and a hamstring injury sustained by Josh Kennedy, coupled with Mitchell's good form in the reserves, meant he was finally back in the AFL in round 22.
He wasted no time settling back in, finishing with 23 possessions at nearly 80 per cent efficiency, seven clearances and six tackles in a strong win over the Western Bulldogs.
Mitchell then filled the stat sheet again in last week's narrow loss to Richmond.
Blessed with an innate ability to record huge numbers, Mitchell tallied 29 touches, 13 tackles, eight marks, six clearances and 138 Fantasy points in the three-point loss to the Tigers.
"I was just happy to get the opportunity against Richmond and I'm grateful for every chance I get," Mitchell told AFL.com.au.
"I'm just hoping to play my role for the team each week and that's my main aim.
"The body feels good, I got through the game unscathed, I've pulled up well and now I'm just getting stuck into training again this week."
Despite his impressive numbers, Mitchell is no guarantee to retain his place for this week's qualifying final against Fremantle.
Kennedy and McGlynn are both expected to return, while Craig Bird is also pushing hard for a recall following his knee problem sustained against St Kilda back in round 21.
Following an excellent 2013, when he made his debut and averaged almost 20 possessions over 14 games, Mitchell's absence from the senior side this year had even led to speculation over his future.
The reality is the product of former Swans' great Barry Mitchell is contracted until the end of 2016 and is more than happy in Sydney.
Injury troubles and an inability to regularly train are the reasons for his lack of senior football this year and coach John Longmire is pleased Mitchell has had an opportunity late in the season.
"He hasn't had an ideal year as far as training and playing is concerned and that's the thing that's been keeping him out of the side," Longmire said.
"Over the last month, he's started to get a bit more continuous training into his body and that's helped him.
"Particularly when we've had Kennedy, McGlynn out, Bird out in that midfield group, to come in and get a good go in there over the last couple of weeks has been good for him."
