Swan George Hewett fast gaining reputation as Brownlow Medal slayer
SWANS stopper George Hewett is fast becoming George the Brownlow Medal slayer and 2016 winner Patrick Dangerfield looms large when Geelong visits the SCG.
Sydney
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GEORGE Hewett’s reputation as one of the game’s best taggers is growing after the Swans young gun shut down Richmond’s Dusty Martin.
Hewett’s superb individual performance on last year’s Brownlow medallist wasn’t enough to stop the Tigers’ 26-point victory over Sydney on Thursday night.
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But it should give Swans coach John Longmire plenty of confidence to give Hewett the tagging assignment on 2016 Brownlow winner Patrick Dangerfield when the Swans host Geelong next Thursday night at the SCG.
Hewett had the perfect preparation in Sydney’s hard-fought loss against Richmond when he shaded Martin.
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Hewett finished with 20 possessions for the match — remarkably, all contested — and 10 clearances. Martin had 21 touches; four contested and four clearances. Hewett also went at a 55 per cent disposal efficiency to Martin’s 52.
His effort against the explosive Tiger shouldn’t be surprising after a year of taking it up to names such as Nat Fyfe, Tom Mitchell and Patrick Cripps, all frontrunners in this year’s hunt for the Brownlow.
To most players, the mere mention of those names would be enough to cause sleepless nights, but Hewett is unfussed by the tasks handed to him by Longmire.
“I feel like I’ve got nothing to lose,” Hewett told the Saturday Telegraph.
“It’s challenging but enjoyable. I did a little bit of it in my first two years of senior footy but this year it’s become more of a week-to-week sort of a thing.
“The more I play against them and want to beat them, the more I enjoy it. It’s a bit nerve-racking but it’s a part of footy.”
The 22-year-old had only the occasional run in the role in his first two seasons at the senior level, but this year they are coming on a weekly basis.
The Swans coach usually holds off on his match-ups till midweek, after he’s sorted out his line-up.
Hearing you are about to take on a Martin, Fyfe or Mitchell would cause some sleepless nights for most players, but the young South Australian doesn’t miss a wink.
“I’m pretty good handling my nerves during the week and it only really starts to crank up on game day,” Hewett said.
“John generally tells me who I’ve got when the team is announced. I watch a few clips with (assistant coach) Brett Kirk and identify their strengths and come up with a plan to try to restrict what they do.
“You obviously can’t do that all the time because that’s why they are the players they are.”
Hewett finished fifth in last year’s best-and-fairest and would be pushing towards the top three this season.
He is as durable as he is good, playing 52 games straight since round 13 in 2016.
“It’s a lot easier when you are in a good team and winning most weeks,” Hewett said.
“When you’ve got good players around you helping you out, it makes a difference
“You learn each week, remember the good stuff and move on from the bad stuff.”
In other news, Lance Franklin has escaped with a $1500 fine for his blow to Alex Rance’s throat in Thursday night’s loss to Richmond. Tigers defender Nick Vlastuin has been offered a one-week ban for his elbow to Luke Parker’s eye.