Melbourne recruit Jordan Lewis says the Demons are ready to play finals in 2017

MELBOURNE recruit Jordan Lewis says the Demons are ready to play finals in 2017. Is he right? Vote and have your say now.

Jordan Lewis signed at Melbourne on Tuesday. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE recruit Jordan Lewis says the Demons are ready to play finals — and he can’t wait to impart his vast September knowledge.

Lewis, 30, said on Tuesday, greater job security and the prospect of on-field success were behind his decision to leave Hawthorn after 264 games, including four premierships.

Melbourne traded its third and fourth round selections (currently 48 and 66) in return for Lewis and Hawthorn’s third and fourth selections (currently 57 and 68).

TUESDAY DEALS: GET THE LATEST TRADE INFORMATION HERE

NEW JORDAN: MELBOURNE STOOD OUT TO ME

“They’re a young, talented list (and) for me they’re knocking on the door (of finals),” Lewis said after joining Melbourne on a three-year deal.

“That was probably one of the main reasons why I came here, and hopefully in the not too distant future we are playing finals and the guys can try and suck all the information out of me because it is a different ball game once you get to that pointy end of the season.”

Lewis spoke about the “difficult conversation” with premiership coach Alastair Clarkson two weeks ago when he was given no guarantees beyond next season.

“We’ve got that relationship that it was a difficult conversation for him to have and for me to sit there and listen to, but I also understood that he probably had my best interests at heart as well,” Lewis said.

“I wasn’t insulted. I think we’ve built up that respect over time that he can have those conversations with me.”

Lewis dismissed speculation his move, just days after Sam Mitchell was traded to West Coast, stemmed from him being asked to take a pay cut so the Hawks could fit Jaeger O’Meara, Tom Mitchell and Tyrone Vickery under their salary cap.

“I know for sure (trading us) wasn’t salary cap reasons … and not once did I get asked to take a pay cut throughout this whole process.”

The Demons last played finals in 2006 and this season finished 11th, two games out of the eight.

The 2016 Hawks vice-captain said he had seen the “competitive nature” of the now Simon Goodwin-coached Demons first hand and had been impressed.

Jordan Lewis in his Melbourne jumper. Picture: Michael Klein

“From what I’ve seen from the outside … they seem to be going in the right direction and certainly the people that I’ve met within the club over the past week or two have confirmed that,” he said.

Lewis said he had no expectation of taking a leadership role at Melbourne.

“I’m a realist. I understand I can’t come into a new environment and be in a leadership position ... they’re an exciting group led by Nathan Jones who is a really good captain and I’ll be there for whatever advice he needs,” Lewis said.

STAR GONE: HOW HAWTHORN FANS REACTED TO JORDAN’S MOVE

COACH SPEAKS: CLARKSON DEFENDS DECISION TO TRADE STARS

“I basically come in as a new kid, no matter how well I’ve done at another club, there’s no brownie points here.

“That’s the exciting thing for me, that’s the daunting part for me, but certainly what the players have seen from me, from the outside, I hope they respect me as a player and get to know me as a person.”

Originally published as Melbourne recruit Jordan Lewis says the Demons are ready to play finals in 2017