The star midfielder sat out Saturday's 46-point win over the Western Bulldogs after receiving a knock to his knee against Carlton the week before, but says he's fit to make the trip north.
"I would've like to have played on the weekend, but last Monday they said, 'you'll probably be a bit too sore, have a week off'," Mitchell said at Waverley Park on Monday as the Hawks launched their 2012 clash strip.
"By Friday I thought I was right to go, but it was probably the smart move to have the week off.
"The boys got the win anyway and I'll be right this week."
Already assured of a qualifying final match-up with Geelong in week one of the finals, Mitchell admitted the Hawks would be cautious about sending sore players to face the Suns.
But he said only those with real concerns would be considered for a rest.
"We've had a philosophy not to rest anyone, but having said that, if blokes are sore and they've got genuine sore sports that it'll do a lot of good to have a week off, then they'll do that," the 2008 premiership captain said.
"A bit like me last week; if it was a final and there was a lot riding on the game I probably would have played.
"It would have been a risk, but I could have played.
"I think the same philosophy will come up: if blokes are under a cloud and there's a risk to play them, we probably won't.
"But if they're fit to go, you're not going to rest them for no reason."
One who could fall into the 'no risk' category is Cyril Rioli, who was subbed off at three-quarter-time on Saturday after corking his calf during the first quarter.
But the small forward said on Sunday that he was keen to play against Gold Coast, and Mitchell said he expected the 22 year-old to come up.
"He's one that I guess they'll have a look at later in the week," Mitchell said.
"If it's a risk to play him they probably won't, but I'd imagine that he'll be fine."
Mark Macgugan writes for hawthornfc.com.au and covers Hawks news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mmacgugan.
