AFL 2024: Hawthorn star key forward Mitch Lewis lifts lid on pre-season

Hawthorn gun Mitch Lewis has lifted the lid on Hawthorn’s off-season, opening up on the return of Jack Gunston, looking after livewires Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson, his own fitness and more.

Mitch Lewis is pumped. Picture: Getty Images

Hawthorn star Mitch Lewis says he is at full fitness ahead of the club’s twin pre-season clashes with the Western Bulldogs as he tipped an early-season selection shock.

The Hawks’ power forward was sorely missed as an impotent Hawthorn forward line struggled without him in 2023, until his round 6 return from a sprained ACL injury.

Suddenly the Hawks are spoiled for choice in the forward 50, with Lewis admitting Jack Gunston’s return was a shock – despite holidaying with Gunston at the time of his trade on an American golf trip.

Lewis lauded the midfield work of 2022’s No.37 draft pick Henry Hustwaite, who he said reminded the players of Scott Pendlebury for his ability to step through traffic after a massive summer.

Mitch Lewis at pre-season training. Picture: Hawthorn FC

While Hustwaite needs to build an AFL-ready tank, Lewis said he is set for a big early-season role in another reminder of the selection squeeze in the midfield and forward line.

Lewis also praised ex-Magpie Jack Ginnivan for his no-fuss attitude since arriving at the club, with the key forward thrilled with his quiet brand of leadership and physical shape.

Lewis, 25, was held back from full training until the week before Christmas after recovering from a foot sprain. He promised Hawks fans are in for some excitement from their new-look forward line.

“I am going well, fingers crossed. Ready for an intra-club next week and then the hitouts against the Doggies,” Lewis told the Herald Sun.

“All going well, I will be fit and firing for round 1.

“Pre-Christmas (training scheduled) was modified, and this side of Christmas has been good. I had a rolled ankle, but (only) missed one session.

“I have spent a good chunk of time with Gunners over the last couple of months. We had our 4x15 minute hitout down at Torquay, and he looked really good. He kicked five goals.

“Personally I am a better player when Jack Gunston is fit and firing in our forward line so I hope he can get his body right and play a pivotal role for us.”

Gunston’s single-year experiment with the Brisbane Lions never quite got off the ground, and Lewis said the 32-year-old simply felt it was right to come back to the club where he won three flags.

Jack Gunston is back at the Hawks. Picture: Ian Currie

“I actually didn’t (know) and I was a bit flat on him because I was with him over in America when the news broke as well – and he was keeping it pretty tightly sealed,” Lewis said.

“He had a massive year (with his father Ray’s passing) before going up to Brisbane and he needed a life change as much as a football change.

“He went up there, it didn’t work out, but we took him back with open arms and it feels like he’s never left now.”

Midfielder Hustwaite made a late-season debut last year and while Will Day’s early-season absence to injury will allow Josh Ward and Cam Mackenzie more chances, expect to see the 19-year-old given opportunities for the Hawks in 2024.

“(Hustwaite) is going really, really well. He has really impressed me this pre-season and impressed a lot of guys,” Lewis said.

“He doesn’t have those running attributes the other guys have yet. But his work inside, not to put pressure on him, but it’s Scott Pendlebury-esque in terms of the way he has time with the footy and his ability to make blokes miss him in the tackle. It’s as good as we have to be honest.

Mitch Lewis rates Henry Hustwaite highly. Picture: Getty Images

“I think he will get chances early on, so it will be good to see how he goes.”

Premiership player Ginnivan arrived at Hawthorn with a reputation but Lewis says he has done everything in his power to dispel any myths about how he goes about his business.

“He actually surprised me with how quiet he was when he first got to the footy club, “ he said.

“I was expecting, from what you see in the media, him being quite out there and you see him with the high tackles and his teammates having to get around him.

“I was very surprised with how he presented himself with his personality. His work ethic has been absolutely fantastic. I didn’t realise he looked so muscular.

“I thought he was a bit shorter and a bit stockier but he’s quite trim and fit and works really hard, eager to learn, quite vocal in meetings. He’s only 21 years old so he’s really impressed me with his atmosphere.”

Jack Ginnivan is closing in on debuting for his new club. Picture: Brad Fleet

It doesn’t mean Ginnivan and new teammate Nick Watson won’t play the role of on-field agitators when round 1 hits.

“Nick Watson is very lively,” said Lewis.

“Once we get to opposition games you see his under 18 highlights and he’s always getting under the skin of ‘oppo’. I am looking forward to seeing that

“Cholly (Mabior Chol) and I might have to look after these guys a little bit because I think they are talking a little bit of smack which I don’t mind. I don’t really do it too much but I will fly the flag and support the guys. It will be interesting to see how we shape up.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Hawthorn star key forward Mitch Lewis lifts lid on pre-season