HAWTHORN draftee Mitchell Lewis did not realise the irony of his selection until his friends pointed it out to him.

Lewis was drafted at No. 76 and was the second-last player picked, ahead of only West Coast's Jake Waterman.

The newest Hawk came to the club in the same year champion midfielders – and namesakes – Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis were traded to West Coast and Melbourne respectively.

You couldn't make this up if you tried. 

But the connection does not end there. Mitchell Lewis wore No.53 for the Calder Cannons this season. Of course, Jordan Lewis wore No.3 in his time at the Hawks while Mitchell had No.5 on his back.

Mitchell Lewis watched the NAB AFL Draft at his grandparents' house, with his parents also with him. His immediate reaction was joy when his name was called out, but his friends soon let him know about the funny side of the story.

"To be honest, that didn't really cross my mind when it first started but a few of my mates made me aware of it. It sort of hit home and it's a bit of a laugh. It's pretty ironic," Lewis told AFL.com.au.

His friends let him know about the memes that were already appearing on Facebook.

"I had a scroll through and they're pretty funny. I don't mind them," Lewis said.

The 198cm, 92kg key forward, who can also pinch-hit in the ruck, spoke to about eight clubs throughout the year. In the past month, Hawthorn called him in for a second interview, so Lewis knew the Hawks were interested.

"They seemed the most keen out of anyone and that's probably where I thought I would end up most likely. But in saying that, I wasn't even 60 per cent confident," he said.

"I just had this thing at the back of my mind that that's (going to Hawthorn) probably the most likely result. I was just having my fingers crossed for that result."

He began feeling despondent as time ticked by without his name being called out, aware that the pre-season and rookie drafts would fall on the coming Monday.

"I was sort of zoned out and started focusing on Monday, (thinking) 'It's not the end of the world, we'll see what happens Monday, there's still another draft'," he said.

"It was a massive surprise (to be selected).

"It's a pretty surreal feeling but I'm over the moon."

A Richmond supporter as a youngster, Lewis didn't think there was any reason to feel extra pressure from supporters despite his namesakes having won four premierships together and a combined six club champion awards.

"I haven't had a chance to think about it from that side. Not really, now that I think about it. Just play footy I suppose," he said.

"Don't worry about what anyone else thinks, just those that matter around the club."

Lewis said he is ready to give Hawthorn his best effort. 

"At the moment, I'm just absolutely stoked to be given the opportunity, so I'm just going to go for it and not hold back," he said.