Sturt hardman Tom Lewis vows to ‘bounce back’ from shock draft snub

“It’s how you bounce back from these things that counts.’’ With those words, unlucky Sturt midfielder Tom Lewis put an exclamation mark on his 2018 football year and looked forward to proving his detractors on.

STILL CHASING THE DREAM: Sturt’s Tom Lewis has vowed not to give up on his pursuit of an AFL home. Picture: Tait Schmaal

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“It’s how you bounce back from these things that counts.’’

With those words, unlucky Sturt midfielder Tom Lewis put an end to his rollercoaster 2018 football year and looked forward to proving his detractors on.

Opening up on the pain and disappointment of being snubbed at the draft when he had worked so hard to find an AFL home, the tough midfielder said he would not give up on his dream and would join Double Blues teammate Hugo Munn in having “another red hot crack at it’’ next year.

“Obviously I am disappointed because when you put everything you’ve got into it and don’t find yourself picked it hurts,’’ said the 18-year-old from the south east country town of Meningie.

“But bloody oath I’m going to have another crack at it. I’ve come too far and worked too hard to give up on the dream now.

“Sure, I missed out at this draft — and it does hurt — but I have no reason to stop trying.

“Not everything goes your way in life and it’s how you bounce back from these things that counts.

“So I’ll give it another crack and go even harder next year.

“That’s all I can do. I won’t die wondering.’’

Lewis — a key member of South Australia’s AFL under-18 championship-winning team this year — was overlooked at the national and rookie drafts, despite being rated as the State’s seventh-best prospect by Champion Data.

Renowned for his tough, bull-at-a-gate style, Lewis averaged 9.3 contested possessions and 9.5 tackles a game during the national championships.

SA under-18 coach Tony Bamford said he illustrated outstanding leadership qualities, “bleeds’’ for his team and has a body ready to play AFL in round one next year.

He is so professional that he this year kept a diary of his training, eating and sleeping habits.

“At least I can sleep at night knowing that I gave it my all,’’ Lewis said.

The 179cm left-footer’s weakness is his lack of speed but there are plenty of AFL ballwinners who aren’t particular quick, including this year’s Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell.

Lewis said he had 10 AFL clubs speak to him prior to the draft, including Essendon, which showed plenty of interest in him late.

Adelaide also was one of his main suitors, he said.

Both clubs have contacted Lewis since the draft to tell him to continue to put his best foot forward and they will consider him in the future.

Lewis said he had spoken to new Sturt coach Nathan Grima at length over the weekend and

that he had vowed to help him continue to chase his dream.

And he said he would work closely with key forward Munn — the only AFL Academy member from SA not to be drafted — to put themselves in an even stronger draft position next year.

“Hugo was bloody stiff to miss out this year, I really feel for him, so we’ll try to do this thing together,’’ Lewis said.