WARRNAMBOOL footballer Jordan Lewis can add another storied chapter to his decorated career when Hawthorn attempts to make AFL history against West Coast at the MCG on Saturday.
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The Hawks are bidding to become just the sixth side in VFL/AFL history to claim a coveted three-peat, a feat last achieved by the dominant Brisbane Lions between 2001-03.
Victory against the Eagles, which would turn the tables on a qualifying final loss three weeks ago, would earn Lewis a fourth premiership medal and further entrench his name into south-west football folklore.
But rewind to the end of his first season with TAC Cup club Geelong Falcons and the once-stocky teenager knew a major hurdle stood between him and an AFL career – his fitness.
His father Shane Lewis on Friday recalled his son saying he needed to build endurance and speed to catch the attention of club scouts in his draft year.
Shane said he was proud of the way the former CBC junior had forged a career at the highest level. Lewis’ games tally stands at 239 entering his fifth grand decider while he is averaging 29 disposals a match in 2015.
“I was still playing when he was about three or four, so he was out at the club every night when I trained. Paul Johnson or someone would be kicking with him until I said ‘right, we’re going home’,” Shane said.
“He played at CBC under Gary Barker and Mick O’Keefe, they were great coaches for him. (The message) wasn’t all win, win win, it was enjoy the game.
“Onto the Falcons and down the highway. His first year wasn’t too bad but he said ‘I need to get fitter’. We went and saw Rebel Noter, he was a fantastic runner when he was younger.”
Noter took the then-teenager took Jetty Flat, where the pair worked on his running technique during the summer of 2003-04.
“You could see he had potential, he was willing to work hard. He just had puppy fat back in those days. He’s definitely lost all of that down there,” Noter said.
A stellar second season at the Falcons prompted Hawthorn to use pick seven to secure Lewis. The Hawks also landed Jarryd Roughhead and Lance Franklin on a night Brett Deledio went to Richmond with pick one.
Lewis played 19 matches the following year as selectors sought to blood youth. Remarkably, he has managed at least that figure each season since during the Hawks’ most dominant era since the 1980s.
“We were happy getting (a flag) in 2008. You never think you’re going to get another two plus a chance at a fourth. It’s fantastic,” Shane said.