With the 2014 season now complete, hawthornfc.com.au will review the season of those who played a senior game for the Hawks in 2014 with the help of GM - Football Operations Chris Fagan.
 

Before season 2014 began Jordan Lewis was seen as a good midfielder. By the time the year came to a close, that view became one of the elite midfielders in the competition.

There is no greater plaudit than winning a club best and fairest in a premiership year, a feat Lewis achieved as a just reward for his outstanding season.

A goal-kicking, hard at it midfielder, Lewis was a battering ram for the Hawks this season in the midfield, taking on much of the midfield load in the absence of teammate Sam Mitchell.

Lewis was ranked number one at the Hawks for disposals (27.8 average), contested possessions (10.7), clearances (5.7), centre cleareances (2.4) and was ranked second for inside 50s (3.7) and fourth for tackles (3.8).

He also contributed 17 goals.

His numbers are certainly impressive but sometimes a player’s impact on games can transcend the stats sheet and one thing those stats don’t show about Lewis’s season is his outstanding on-field leadership.

A vice-captain to skipper Luke Hodge, Lewis’s respect as a leader grew this season by the way he played his football and stepped up when his team needed him most.

While he managed big numbers in the opening six or seven rounds, his impact was greater from Round 10 onwards, when he produced a stunning performance against Port Adelaide.

In an inexperienced team with a number of key players out injured, Lewis had 38 disposals, nine clearances, six inside 50s, kicked two goals and assisted on one other in the loss to the Power.

When Alastair Clarkson stepped away from coaching to recover from illness from rounds 11-15, Lewis together with Hodge and the leadership group played an important role in ensuring it wouldn’t derail Hawthorn’s season.

From that point, Lewis transformed himself into one of the game’s best midfielders and rocketed into Brownlow Medal and All Australian contention by averaging 29.3 disposals from then on.

While it took some time for outsiders to recognise his outstanding level of performance, his standing wasn’t lost on those who mattered most – his coaches and teammates.

From Round 12 onwards (he missed Round 11 with injury), Lewis polled votes in the Peter Crimmins Medal in every game and polled double figure votes in Rounds 10, 14, 15, 20, 21 and in the Grand Final to finish as Hawthorn’s best and fairest player in 2014.

Funnily enough, while he was undoubtedly Hawthorn’s best player this year, his year didn’t start out in the blaze of glory in which it finished

The 28-year-old worked his way into the season after making a slow start in the opening two rounds.

But he stepped up in the big games, like his 37 disposals against Fremantle in Round 3, aforementioned effort against Port Adelaide in Round 10, 30 against West Coast in Round 12, 35 in a match-winning performance against Sydney in Round 18 and 44 against Fremantle in Round 21.

Lewis was of course an important player throughout the finals series but saved his masterpiece, like his team did, for the Grand Final.

In his best game for the year, Lewis had 37 disposals (14 contested), took eight marks, had seven clearances, seven rebound 50s and five inside 50s in the premiership win.

He missed out on the Norm Smith Medal by one vote to his captain, Hodge.

Lewis also polled consistently well in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award, achieving the perfect 10 votes from the coaches on a number of occasions.

He ended the year in 10^th place in the award.

After 217 career games, it seems Lewis has unlocked more talent within himself. Given he was a bit disappointing with his start to the season, we can’t wait to see what he can produce in 2015 at the standard he set in the second half of this year.

What GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said: “He had his best season ever. He won the best and fairest and was All Australian, you can’t do much better than that.

“He played every game and when others were injured he was there leading the team.

“It’s not easy to improve when you’re 27 years of age even though he’s been a very good AFL player for a long time now. To take his game to a level where he’s an All Australian and regarded as an A-grader is an outstanding achievement.

“He should be really proud with what he’s been able to do.”
 

Jordan Lewis in the news in 2014
- Lewis wins first Peter Crimmins Medal
- No secret behind Lewis’s outstanding 2014
- Lewis finishes 10^th in AFLCA award
- 200 games: Lewis’s career in picutres
- Lewis nabs perfect 10 as Hawks dominate the votes
- Lewis the top Hawk
- Lewis claims top honours again
- Hawks dominate AFLCA votes

Videos featuring Jordan Lewis in 2014
- PCM caps off amazing year for Lewis
- Lewis loving footy at game 200
- #everymoment: Lewis