HAWTHORN Vice-Captain Jordan Lewis has praised the work rate of his younger teammates over the summer and says he’s excited to play alongside them in Thursday night’s NAB Challenge opener against Brisbane.
The Hawks have named an experienced line up for their first hit-out of 2014, with premiership stars Jarryd Roughead, Sam Mitchell, Shaun Burgoyne, Isaac Smith and Cyril Rioli among those named.
But Coach Alastair Clarkson has also included a number of promising youngsters who are expected to take the next step and push for senior selection this season.
Among those named in the squad are first and second round draftees Billy Hartung (pick 24, 2013) and Tim O’Brien (pick 28, 2012) as well as youngsters such as Mitch Hallahan, Will Langford and Angus Litherland.
Lewis, like his coach has been particularly impressed with the professionalism and form shown by Hartung in his first pre-season with the Club.
“He’s come in with a good fitness base - he showed that at the draft camp and has continued that on here. He’s pushed the group to become fitter and driven the front of the group with the likes of Isaac Smith and those sorts of guys,” he told hawthornfc.com.au on Wednesday.
“He’s been a welcome inclusion who has a lot of poise when he has the ball as well so he’s certainly a player of the future.”
Two players the midfielder has spent a lot of time with in the past three seasons and who he expects to impress are Hallahan and Langford.
Both have enjoyed a solid summer and Lewis expects them to be among the standout youngsters in Thursday night’s clash against the Lions.
Hallahan, who is yet to make his senior debut won the J. J Liston Trophy as the VFL’s fairest and best player last year, while Langford will be hoping to play more senior footy after making his debut in 2013.
“They’ve really improved, I think they’re two players who have been hampered by injury over the last couple of years but I think both of them have managed to do one hundred per cent of pre-season, which really contributes into building a good season,” he said.
“They get their chance tomorrow night to show the Hawthorn faithful what they can do – they are pretty exciting on the training track.”
While Lewis is preparing for his tenth season, the dual premiership player says the younger brigade have added extra motivation to the group over the summer and has the players excited for the practice matches.
“We old timers have been here before but definitely the vibrancy from the younger guys drives us older guys to enjoy the occasion,” he said.
But the Hawks won’t be getting too caught up in the NAB Challenge, with their eyes firmly set on Round 1.
“We use NAB Challenge for what it’s worth – to get fitness into the players,” Lewis said.
“It has been a good pre-season but we’re ready now to step up into games.”
Personally, Lewis is feeling fresh and ready to attack season 2014.
“It has been a good pre-season for me, I haven’t missed any training,” he said.
“I have been working on a few things over the summer as well, which keeps you motivated and tomorrow night I’ll hopefully show a few of those things and get out there to help the young guys learn the game.”
