Jordan Lewis excited by Steven May’s arrival at Melbourne
After the Demons’ season ended in preliminary final heartbreak, veteran Jordan Lewis says the addition of backman Steven May could not have come at a better time for the Demons.
Melbourne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Melbourne. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne vice-captain Jordan Lewis says new teammate Steven May is ready to play both student and teacher in red and blue.
Lewis will return to full training on Monday but said he had been working hard over the off-season after the Demons’ season ended in preliminary final heartbreak against eventual premier West Coast.
BUCKENARA: EVERY CLUB’S DRAFT HAUL ANALYSED
DRAFTEES: MOSQUITO ALREADY HAS BOMBERS BUZZING
EX-DEMON: BUGG WON’T HOLD BACK AT BLUES
“We’re ready to attack another season,” he said.
“Obviously another disappointing loss in the finals … but with a young list and being exposed to finals as we were, it’s a really good opportunity for this group to grab it.”
He said the addition of backman May — who was traded to the Demons with fellow former Sun Kade Kolodjashnij in exchange for pick six — could not have come at a better time.
But he refused to limit his new teammate’s value to simply lie in defence.
“It’s probably a position we needed to fill with Jake (Lever) going down last year. With him coming back and Steven coming into the side, it certainly strengthens our spine,” he said.
“I think (he could play either end), and we saw that with Tom McDonald, who started as a defender and then came in as a forward.
“Steven first and foremost will probably play defence, but if we need him for whatever reason to go down forward and take a mark and put some scoreboard pressure on, I think he’d be able to do that.”
May was co-captain of the Suns with Tom Lynch — who has moved to Richmond — and will bring youthful experience along with him, Lewis said, with opportunities to learn on both sides.
“He’s a young captain, and he’s had a little bit of experience — I think he’s played around 100 games,” he said.
“Being in that position and trying to lead a group of young kids, he certainly would have learned a lot. We’ll ask for some advice off him, but hopefully he can learn just as much off our leadership group as well.”
Lewis, a keen golfer, joined four-time major winner Ernie Els at Brighton Beach on Monday ahead of next year’s Presidents Cup.
“If I wasn’t playing football, I’d love to be a golfer, to be honest,” he said.