"Peter Mitchell has been the senior news presenter at Channel Seven Melbourne since late 2000. He started in the TV industry as a cadet journalist, straight out of school, with Channel Nine in 1977. He became a sports reporter and presenter, working on Commonwealth Games and then with Seven, the Olympics. In 1988 he crossed to Seven as weekend news presenter. Major stories covered have been the death of the Princess of Wales, the September 11th terror attacks, the Bali bombings and the Beaconsfield Mine disaster then rescue. Peter was born in Frankston and is married with five children."

Knock Knock ! you there joffa ?

Wouldn't keep a superstar like yourself waiting  Mitch'.

Pop in pal, grab a seat and let's talk life and Collingwood although im not sure in which order that will be .

'How to do you have your coffee mate?'

Joffa i wont put you to too much trouble just the regular for me mate, White and two, 'No worries Mitch make yourself at home and thanks mate for popping in.'

How did your journey as a Collingwood supporter begin?
Long story I'm afraid Joffa! My Dad was born in South Warrnambool and he barracked for St Kilda because the second Brownlow medalist Colin Watson came from that area. It was Round 1, 1965 when St Kilda played their first ever match at Moorabbin, and because we lived in Frankston, Dad thought he'd take me to my first ever match and initiate me as a 'Saint'. Problem was they were playing Collingwood and it was Peter McKenna's debut. I couldn't take my eyes off him. The Pies lost, but the black and white stripes had me hooked. To my Dad's credit, he only tried to talk me out of it a couple of hundred thousand times. 
Your all time greatest Collingwood player?
You ask all the tough questions! I'd have to say Peter McKenna because he's the reason I chose the Pies, but Nathan Buckley is the best player I've seen in a Collingwood jumper.
Peter whilst reading the news what has been the saddest story?
Again, hard to pick just one Joffa, but any of them involving children and tragedy are the ones that get me. Or the ones that tug at the heart strings. The innocence and unconditional love of children. Like when Tyler Fishlock, the Melbourne boy who lost both eyes to cancer, was visiting Disneyland and he felt Mickey Mouse's face with his hands and said, "You can come to my house whenever you want, ok?" 
very true Peter the Tyler Fishlock story touched us all we wish the little champ all the best. 
Have you ever had the unfotrunate task of reading the news on the same day as the pies losing a grand final?
You've hit a sore point there mate! I must have done something horrible in a former life - I've been at every one of Collingwood's losing grand finals since the draw in 1977. And when we did win, in 1990, I couldn't get out of work that day to attend the match. After Seven's coverage of the match, I read the news with a broad smile across my face, wearing a big Collingwood badge that an old bloke gave to me when I was a kid.
Do you rate the Magpies a genuine chance in 2008.
You bet! If Cameron Wood can share the workload in the ruck and if we have a good run with injuries we can win the whole thing. No doubt about that.
Does your whole family follow the Pies.
My two sons do and one of my daughters. My eldest daughter goes for Essendon and my middle daughter barracks for St Kilda thanks to Nick Dal Santo paying her classroom a visit last year. My wife Philippa has a weakening interest in the Demons.
If you were not a news-reader what would you be doing?
Good question Joffa! I've been very lucky to be in this business since leaving school and its been great to me. I couldn't imagine doing anything else, but I love the land, so I could easily have been a farmer. funny you mention that mate because you actually look like a farmer i can just see you now in Black and White gum=boots attending to the cows.
The world has seen many great leaders...who would you vote for as number one and why?
Toss up between Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali. One was a President and the other should have been. Both changed their countries for the better and helped rid the world of racism. Racism causes wars and remember Ali was forced out of boxing in his prime for saying "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong." Despite Kevin Rudd's apology, we still have problems with racism in Australia.
What news story would you like to read?
Aside from Collingwood's premiership win in 2008, one day I'd like to interview Australia's first indigenous Prime Minister.
What does Australia mean to you.
A place where our children can grow free and strong. But they need a lot of help from role models. Dangers like drugs and violence lurk around every corner.
Did you ever get to meet the late Sir Eric Pearce if so what was he like?
Joffa, not only did I get to meet the great man, I worked with him. He was still at Channel Nine in a PR role when I was there and I remember I got into work the day after the Ash Wednesday bushfires to find an envelope on my typewriter. It was a lovely hand written note from Sir Eric complimenting me on my report the previous night. That's what he was like. The most polite man I ever met. Always giving you encouragement. 
You covered the Bali bombings as a human being how do you overcome such tragedies?
It's not easy. I remember Channel Seven had a national telethon to raise money for the families of the 88 Australians who died in Bali and Mark Seymour came in and did an acoustic version of "Throw Your Arms Around Me" with pictures of the grieving families holding candles at the memorial service. Off camera, I just couldn't stop bawling. It was so emotional, but in a strange way, it sort of helped.
Would you like to pop into the cheersquad one day, Grab the GAME-OVER banner and Gold Jacket and celebrate a pies victory?
I thought there was only one person for that job Joffa! But since you're offering, I'd love to!! I'd even wear the golden wig if it meant Collingwood won! Your too good looking to wear the Gold Jacket mate, not that it would be hard to out-trump me in the good looks stakes, so on that basis i'd probabaly go hiding if i saw you running down the cheersquad aisle-way
Peter if John Lennon were alive today what would you ask him?
As a millionaire with a mansion and property called Tittenhurst in England, did you really mean it when you wrote, "Imagine no possessions?" Nah, just joking. I'd probably ask him for his autograph!
What does Collingwood mean to Peter Mitchell?
It means I've wasted a lot of last Saturdays in September! Seriously, The Club to me means a great deal. Look what happens on Anzac Day. What a day! The Pies have given me enormous joy and inspiration over the years. I've loved watching my heroes do battle.
In your opinion is the game over umpired?
No doubt. I hate seeing goals from free kicks. It annoys the hell out of me. I'm from the old school - free flowing footy with plenty of marking contests. And they need to sort out the play-on advantage call. Often it's not to advantage at all.
How does a bloke from Frankston get to read the national news?
I was from the good side of the tracks Joffa! I guess I've behaved a bit like a successful footballer. I took my chances when they came and I've made a point of being punctual and reliable. When you're raising a family and putting food on the table, it pays to try to be as professional as you can. .your my fave news-reader..Good on you Peter you have done very well.
Do you have ambitions of being a weeknight news-reader?
You've got me confused with Jo Hall! I've been reading weeknights at Seven since late 2000.and what a delight it is to watch Jo Hall reading the news , Channel 7 are obviously blessed with talant.
Do you have good nights and bad nights at reading the news?
Yes, it's like any occupation in that way, except perhaps a brain surgeon. I'd hate to be one of them and say, "Well, that was a mongrel of a day." 
Favourite song?
What, you want just one?! If I have to leave out The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Paul Kelly etc. I'll go for "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits.
Favourite movie?
I get the idea. Just one, ay? I saw "No Country for Old Men" recently. Unbelievable movie. But I'm still having nightmares.
Tell us a bit about your working day, many of us tend to believe you rock up at 5.55pm and just read the news and go home again but i have a feeling there's more to it than that.
Yeah, I wish. It's more like getting into Docklands around early afternoon, getting make up put on (worst part of job), preparing afternoon updates and radio promos (I like to write all my own stuff), reading the 6pm news, then staying back to write and present the evening updates. I generally get home around 8.30. That's on a good day. As a Seven employee though, I am required to attend and sometimes host many functions - all sorts of things, from speaking to school children to charity functions. It's all part of getting your face out there.
What words of inspiration would you give to Collingwood on the eve of another football season?
You have powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Use them. Take no prisoners.
Proffessionaly speaking does a news reader relish bad news knowing that more people will be watching.
Believe it or not, we don't actually favour bad news over good. We only tell it like it is. If people perceive there's too much bad news, well we're just reflecting what's happening out there in our world. It's often not a pretty picture.
If Peter Mitchell had three wishes to make the world a better place what would they be?
Joffa, I'm a news presenter, not a genie! But for the purpose of the exercise...
1. World peace
2. Above average rainfall in Victoria
3. And new hamstrings for Nathan Buckley cant argue with any of them mate.
Will you promise us all now to wear a Black and White tie if your in the news reading chair the day the mighty pies win a flag.
I promise to be at the MCG to witness history!! And then I'll wear a black and white tie for the following week on Seven News!
Whats been your greatest news story
Being down at Beaconsfield in Tasmania for the rescue of the two miners. It started out as a tragedy with the death of Larry Knight, but the whole thing had an amazing ending. Trapped for two weeks underground - Wow! 
Peter your a favourite with many people and channel 7 are lucky to have you, all the very very best for the future.
Its been a pleasure Joff. Good luck to you and the cheer squad too. I want to see that famous jacket a lot this year!
Thanks Peter it has been a pleasure having you in the coffee-room it's going to take some work by me to get some-one bigger than your goodself..lets hope mate the Pies can win a flag pretty soon.
 

 Alan Howe is the Executive Editor of the Herald Sun. He has been a senior journalist on the London Times and Sunday Times, managing editor of the New York Post, and editor of  The Australian Weekend Magazine, The Sunday Herald and The Sunday herald Sun.

He arrived age 18 months, in Australia two weeks before the 1958 Grand Final. He was brought to Australia by his dad Jack from Newcastle-upon-Tyne- home of the other Magpies, Newcastle United. Alan has attended seven Collingwood Grand Finals and never seen them win. Rupert Murdoch made him Editor of  Melbourne's Sunday Herald the day the pies won the 1990 flag. He gave away his ticket. But his first edition covered the great event. He later donated the printing press plate of that day's newspaper to the Collingwood Football Club where it is on permanent display.

Knock knock ! It's Alan Howe here joffa.
Top stuff Alan, come in and grab a seat mate!
Your coffee, white with two mate?
Yeah thanks joffa not too much milk mate,
Would you like a teddy bear biscuit with the coffee Alan?
Nah she's right mate just the coffee thanks

Alan sits on the Blue couch

Joffa sits on the White Couch

When in life did you decide to follow the mighty Pies?
 
It was pre-ordained. My Dad was a Geordie from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, home of the first Magpies.  We certainly have something in common Alan we both dont win much silverware mate.
 
Are we a genuine chance for the 2008 Premiership.
 
No. We have not recruited the players we need. I hope I am completely wrong. Cam Wood  could be the suprise packet mate will give us other options round the ground.

Your all time favourite Collingwood player?

Daics! Can I have two? Bucks! We've both certainly been very been lucky to have seen both players in the Black and White jumpers.

Who will be the next skipper?
 
Scott Burns. Sentimental fave Alan, I'll stick with Josh Fraser.
 
Your thoughts on the AFL.

It is a much maligned, but excellently run competition.  Without getting both of us into strife i wont argue your comments
We have a shocking record in Grand Finals Alan? would you like to make a comment ?
Yes. And umpires. We would have won the 1970, 1979 and 2002 Premierships had it not been for disgraceful umpiring.  While we're at it mate chuck in 1977 when the siren went when we had the ball on our foward line
 
Alan would we be  better pushing the game into Japan rather than South Africa?
 
We are never going to get this game happening anywhere except as an eccentric oddity. That's not a criticism; we don't have the population mass to push it anywhere else. Ireland, maybe. That's it. But it is everybody else's loss.
 
Do you sit with the people at the footy or in a corporate box.
 
I sit with real people in the stands. But once or twice a year I host the Herald Sun box to try to inculcate others to the joys of our team: I have taken Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and his new team member (and Magpie) Bill Shorten to the footy, and I have twice taken Deep Purple to the Anzac Day match. They loved it.
 
If Jimmy Clement had not of been pinged for deliberately taking the ball out of bounds against Geelong in the pre-lim could the pies have gone on to defeat port Adelaide.

Of course we would have won. I played for Vermont Under 15s, and they would have beaten Port Adelaide that day. The Australian woman's cricket team would have beated Port Adelaide. Joffa - you and I would have beaten them!    Sensational mate we'd be like two kids living a dream
 
 
Do you support our clubs stance on the away jumper issue.
 
Yes. We are black and white. The Bible suggests that, at the very least my soul - and yours Joffa - are blackened by original sin. But surely they are black misdemeanours on a white soul.  Im chuffed to hear you say that believe it or not their are a few Collingwood people around who would like to see a change in the away strip...how scary is that!