It was a long wait for new draftee Mitchell Lewis on Friday evening as he watched from his grandparents' home hoping to hear his name called.
The 198cm forward/ruckman was the second-last player picked in this year’s draft after the Hawks selected him with pick 76.
After two meetings with the Hawks throughout the year, Lewis was still unsure as to whether or not he would be selected.
“We were just at my grandparents’ house because we didn’t know what was going to happen but Mum, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa were there,” Lewis said.
“It (Hawthorn) was the only club where I had two interviews, so I thought it was the club that I had the best chance of ending up at, but besides from that there was nothing to suggest I would definitely end up here.”
Read: How did Hawks fare in the 2016 National Draft?
A product of the Calder Cannons and Assumption College, Lewis is a talented golfer and cricketer who decided to make the switch and pursue a career in AFL.
The Hawks envisages him as a project player who will play as a tall forward who can roll through the ruck.
One of his best matches for the Calder Cannons this year saw Lewis finish with four goals, 12 marks, 12 hit-outs, and 33 disposals.
“Centre-half forward is my main go, just to be able to work my opponent up the ground. That’s how I like to get most of my footy,” he said.
“It’s been very tough the last couple of days just waiting to be at the club and now that I’m finally hear I’m just over the moon, ready to get started.”