Jordan Lewis – Deck of DT 2016

Name: Jordan Lewis
Club: Hawthorn
Position:  Midfielder
AFL Fantasy: Approx. $610,000
AFL Dream Team: $641,900
Bye Round: Round 15
2015 Average: 110.74
2015 Games Played: 19
Predicted Average: 110

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Why should I pick him?

What is it with always looking to upgrade to a newer model? The newer model might look nicer, sound nicer, smell nicer… but more often than not, we ‘upgrade’ just for the sake of ‘upgrading’. Sometimes, the older, more reliable model right under our noses is exactly what we should stay with. You know what I’m talking about – women, cars… women… and invariably, with our fantasy stars. Whilst we all rave about young, future stars like Wines, Cripps, Heppell, Treloar, O’Meara, Crouch (the list goes on) we forget about old reliable, trusty Jordan Lewis.

Between 2007 and 2013, Jordan Lewis showed he was an above average, consistent fantasy scorer, averaging between 83.1 (2008) and 94.7 (2007), whilst never topping the 100 average mark. The issue was, whilst he was a prolific midfielder, an integral part in the Hawthorn midfield rotations, he probably wasn’t as fit as he needed to be to run out games as he, nor the hawks, would have liked.  In 2014, we saw a leaner, fitter and noticeably determined Jordan Lewis. He went on to average 109.6 in 2014 from 21 games, including 8 scores over 120 (and two of 119 if you don’t mind).

He backed it up in 2015, averaging 110.7 from 19 games (ill-discipline cost him a couple for a right whack to Goldy’s chops). He started off like a house on fire in 2015, scoring 156, 119, 152, 130 and 117 (average of 134.8) from Rounds 1-5 (that 117 was the game against North where he was subsequently rubbed out for 2 weeks).

He could not sustain those dizzying highs upon his return to the senior team, as he went on to average only 88.25 over his next 4 games. After that mid-season slump (SLUMP?!) he returned to form, managing 7 100+ games over his next 10 (and the 3 he missed out were 98, 98 and 94).

The hawks (as you would expect) have a pretty tough draw in 2016, playing West Coast, Sydney, North Melbourne, Richmond and Melbourne (not so tough) twice. Don’t let that deter you though – in 2015 Lewis scored 118 and 114 (in the Grand Final) against the eagles, 116 and 98 against the swans, 117 against the kangaroos and 109 against the tigers. He didn’t play the demons in 2015 (and if he did, I’m sure he would’ve gone OK…).

Still only 29 years old, he certainly has another 3-4 good years of footy left in him. The younger hawks midfield brigade in Langford, O’Rourke, Hartung etc will be looking at trying to establish themselves in 2016, but it will not be at the expense of the next captain of the club.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

To put it bluntly, I don’t think there is any good reason to not pick him. We know there is no question with hunger, with the hawks winning the last 3 flags, they are always striving for improvement. His starting price is obviously up there with the other premium midfielders in the competition, and with the likes of Fyfe, Steven, Pendles, Hannebery, Rockliff, Beams, Treloar, Ablett (the list goes on), it’s obviously pretty hard to narrow it down to 4-5 starting premium midfielders.

I think he will likely miss 1-2 games (but who won’t?), be it through injury (the dreaded general) or suspension – we all know he can get a little carried away at times.

He also shares the round 15 bye along with other premium midfielders such as Beams, Rockliff, Selwood, Dangerfield, Fyfe, Mundy, Shiel, Ward, Swallow etc. But let’s face it, while bye planning is important, invariably bye planning goes out the window throughout the season with LTI’s, form slumps etc. You’d also try and have a completed premium team by Round 15 as well… Don’t let the Round 15 bye deter you from picking Jordan Lewis.

Deck of DT Rating.

ACE – Whilst not an official Fantasy Pig, his last two years he has been nothing short of sensational. Looks to be a lock to average over 110 again in 2016, and remain one of the premium midfielders in the competition. He has the runs on the board – he’ll be one of my first picked – look for him to be a top 5 midfielder come the end of the season. Don’t forget – those newer models will always try and roll you for your cash!

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