The controversial former No.6 draft pick, who was axed by Hawthorn after only two games, completed a fairytale year for South Launceston in the Tasmanian State League on Saturday.
Pre-game, Thorp was presented with the league's best and fairest award before he then lead the Bulldogs to a rags-to-riches flag against reigning premiers Burnie at Aurora Stadium.
The South Launceston coach was wasteful in front of goal, managing 2.4, but was one of the most influential players on the ground as his Bulldogs won a thrilling Grand Final by nine points.
The 10.14 (74) to 9.11 (65) victory was South Launceston's first TSL title.
After such a dominant season, Thorpe, 24, is now firmly in the mix to return to AFL ranks as a mature-age recruit.
His manager, Liam Pickering, said "eight to 10" AFL clubs were interested in selecting Thorp as a ready-made tall forward whose powerful aerobic capacity also allows him to push further upfield.
"There has been a fair bit of interest in him," Pickering told AFL.com.au on Sunday.
"I'm confident he'll get drafted, either as a rookie or in the national draft.
"You can never be over confident, but looking at a few clubs that don't really have any forwards, he could have a huge impact straight away and he's still young too.
"He's the perfect age, a ready-made player and he's matured greatly since his first shot (at AFL level)."
Earlier this year, Thorp told AFL.com.au he was desperate for another chance at AFL level.
"I would absolutely love another crack. I'm more mature now, both as a player and a person," he said.
"I know I'd make a much better fist of it (the AFL) if I got another crack."
The athletic centre-half forward appeared destined for a long and prosperous AFL career when was selected by Hawthorn with pick six in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft. However, injuries and a questionable attitude limited his output to just two senior games.
After a painful departure from Hawthorn, and a stint with Werribee in the VFL, Thorp headed back to play with his brothers at South Launceston, lifting the perennial struggler to its maiden TSL title within two years.
Pickering said taking on a coaching role had helped develop Thorp on and off the field.
"I think coaching really matures you quickly – from a leadership perspective, you learn a lot as soon as you start thinking about others rather than just yourself, and I think it (coaching) has been great for Mitch," he said.
This season, Thorp averaged 24 touches, 11 marks and four goals a match in a league that has produced mature recruits in Jeremy Howe (Melbourne) and Aaron Hall (Gold Coast) in recent years.
He also dominated the mid-year representative clash with the NEAFL Eastern Conference at Skoda Stadium, finishing with 19 touches, 12 marks and 6.3 as Tasmania won comfortably.
Clubs will be able to get a closer look at Thorp at next month's state screening in Melbourne.
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