Premiership star Jordan Lewis announces AFL retirement
Melbourne veteran Jordan Lewis, a four-time premiership Hawk, has announced his retirement and will play his 308th – and final – AFL match on Saturday against North Melbourne in Hobart.
Lewis, 33, will be flanked by Demons coach Simon Goodwin and Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson when he confirms his decision at a 1pm press conference at the MCG on Tuesday.
Lewis is a former Hawthorn vice-captain, was a key member of the 2008 premiership side and later the all-conquering team that won three straight flags from 2013. He claimed the Peter Crimmins Medal in 2014 when he was also an All-Australian.
He left the Hawks after 264 matches when, during the 2016 trade period, Clarkson encouraged him to think about a longer contract that was on offer from the Demons, at a time the Hawks also said goodbye to fellow premiership star Sam Mitchell. In a tumultuous few weeks, the Hawks, seeking to refresh, brought in Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O'Meara.
Lewis, the one-time hard-nut midfielder who has played extensively across half-back in recent seasons, had hoped his veteran nous would help to deliver the Demons a breakthrough premiership but they have been unable to taste the ultimate joy in his three seasons.
He played 19 matches in 2017, 24 last year when the Demons fell a week short of a grand final berth, but only 11 this season when injury and poor form conspired against him.
Lewis, from the coastal town of Warrnambool, was taken by the Hawks with the seventh pick of the 2004 national draft, behind Jarryd Roughead (No.2) and Lance Franklin (No.5).
The trio remain great mates and celebrated two premierships together, before Franklin departed for the riches on offer with the Sydney Swans after the 2013 flag.
Lewis and Franklin were on hand at Marvel Stadium on Sunday when Roughead played what shapes as his final match in Victoria.
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