Jordan Lewis opens up on his return to country footy with Buchan

Four-time AFL premiership player Jordan Lewis will make his return to country footy on Saturday, in his first game post-retirement. Here’s what he’s expecting.

Jordan Lewis’ return to local footy is going to be a reminder of his childhood.

The AFL champion will travel over three hours to pull on the boots for Buchan in the Omeo District Football League on Saturday as part of his involvement in the Carlton Draft Series.

It will be a throwback to his days as a junior when he and his parents would make the trek from Warrnambool in the state’s southwest to Melbourne to allow the four-time premiership Hawk the chance to play representative footy.

“We’re going up and back in one day because of my media commitments but I used to do it all the time so it won’t be any different,” Lewis said.

“It’s my first game since retiring in 2019 so there’s a little bit of nerves in terms of how the body is going to hold up. I’ve played some AFL9s which is obviously more social and kicked the footy with the kids every weekend so I’m really looking forward to it.

“When I retired, I had opportunities to play footy and that was obviously with a cash incentive and it just didn’t feel right to me to do that.

“I wanted to get involved with the Carlton Draft as a way of giving back to footy, it should be a really good community day.”

Jordan Lewis. Photo: by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Lewis and his new teammates which take on Lindenow South from 2.30pm at Buchan Recreation Reserve in a game which could have a big impact on the make up of the competition ladder later in the season.

The Cavemen sit in fourth position, just one game clear of Saturday’s opponents.

“It’s a really good competition in terms of the community feel,” Lewis said.

“When you leave the top level, you always want to test yourself and see whether you’ve still go it, at any level. The coach has already said my magnet is probably going to be in the middle of the ground.

“And they play with no wings, it’s only 16-a-side so it’s probably a little bit more running than I’m used to. One of the club legends wears number three so I told the club I don’t want to take that away from him.

“I’m not actually sure what number I’ll be wearing yet.

“When you’re in the AFL, you lose that sense of community sometimes.

“I go back and watch the Hampden league when I’m home and it’s one of the things I enjoy doing.”