Calder Cannons’ Mitchell Lewis may have been the second last player picked in the AFL national draft on Friday night, but his name is one many football supporters will remember for years to come.
Lewis was taken at pick 76 by Hawthorn, with only Jake Waterman, who joins West Coast, selected after him.
A key forward from Whittlesea who can also play ruck, Lewis is a bit of an unknown in football circles but many saw the irony of his selection on Friday – the Hawks traded two of their stars, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis, in the off season.
The coincidences didn’t end there – Mitchell Lewis wears guernsey No.53 at the Cannons. At the Hawks, Mitchell and Lewis wore numbers five and three respectively.
Mitchell Lewis is the first player to be drafted from Whittlesea.
He played nine games with the Cannons last season and a further 10 games this year.
His stand-out game this year came against Gippsland Power. He kicked four goals and had 13 marks in a best-on-ground performance.
Cannons’ coach Andrew Johnston it was really pleasing to see Lewis get the opportunity to continue his football journey at AFL level. Johnston said the Hawks were the only team to show interest in Lewis late in the year.
“We had word that the Hawks were looking at a key forward with their late picks,” Johnston said.
“Mitchell wasn’t high in the mix of other clubs and by the time it got to the Hawks picks most of the key forwards would be gone.”
Johnston said he expected Lewis to spend most of next year at the Hawks’ reserve’s side Box Hill Hawks as he looked to become a more consistent player.
“He showed through out the year he can be a key forward and has the versatility to go through the ruck. Tall guys take longer to develop.
“The challenge is for him is to perform on a more consistent basis.”
It was a quiet draft for the Cannons, with Lewis the only current player drafted. Former Cannon Luke Ryan was drafted by Fremantle, while former Woodend and Gisborne player Mitch Hannan was picked by Melbourne.
Cannons late developers Ben Ronke and Zach Guthrie are expected to be in the mix for rookie spots.
The rookie draft was due to be held on Monday. For the latest from the rookie draft, head to www.starweekly.com.au.
