Opinion Jordan Lewis vs Brad Sewell - Who's had the better career?

[WWSD]

Brad Sewell (197 games, 31 goals) From 2005-2008 Sewell was performing better then Lewis, he started his career in defense in 2005 then shifted into the midfield in 2007 and became a renowned tagger/inside midfielder of the competition and was a force during his prime when we won the flag in 2008. Considering Sewell was drafted in the rookie draft in 2002 and two years later was almost traded at the end of 2004 to Melbourne, not many people out there would have penciled in Sewell as a dual premiership player and a club best & fairest winner. One of the Hawks best midfielders this era under Clarkson.

Jordan Lewis (210 games, 118 goals) Since the start of 2008 and up until now in season 2014, Lewis has been better during that time frame. Can play as a midfielder, tagger and is a damaging half forward at his best. Is leading our best & fairest right now. He's been our most consistent midfielder over the last four-five years, whereas Sewell has dropped off a bit over the last couple of years due to injuries and age catching up to him. Overall when looking at their entire careers I don't think there's that much separating the two to be honest. Both Lewis and Sewell have had long and successful careers at the club that's last over 10 years.

Who's had the better career? In my opinion I reckon it's Jordan Lewis that's had the better career to date but not by much though.

 

[Main Man]

Lewis no doubt for me, Sewell has had 3 seasons of high level football the rest have been okay, a solid contributor whereas Lewis has had impact from day one is his career.

I'd say at their best there is not much between them (although Lewis this year is probably superior to any of Sewells years) but I think Lewis has played at a higher level for longer and fair to say he might not have even peaked yet.

 

[parsons nose]

Brad Sewell (197 games, 31 goals) From 2005-2008 Sewell was performing better then Lewis, he started his career in defense in 2005 then shifted into the midfield in 2007 and became a renowned tagger/inside midfielder of the competition and was a force during his prime when we won the flag in 2008. Considering Sewell was drafted in the rookie draft in 2002 and two years later was almost traded at the end of 2004 to Melbourne, not many people out there would have penciled in Sewell as a dual premiership player and a club best & fairest winner. One of the Hawks best midfielders this era under Clarkson.

Jordan Lewis (210 games, 118 goals) Since the start of 2008 and up until now in season 2014, Lewis has been better during that time frame. Can play as a midfielder, tagger and is a damaging half forward at his best. Is leading our best & fairest right now. He's been our most consistent midfielder over the last four-five years, whereas Sewell has dropped off a bit over the last couple of years due to injuries and age catching up to him. Overall when looking at their entire careers I don't think there's that much separating the two to be honest. Both Lewis and Sewell have had long and successful careers at the club that's last over 10 years.

Who's had the better career? In my opinion I reckon it's Jordan Lewis that's had the better career to date but not by much though.

Im inclined to go the other way. Sewell has consistent form in really big games. Last years grand final was an exception to the rule. He is also elite in close in his ability to get his hands free while being tackled- which is so important in high pressure games. Plus he has great core strength.

Lewis is having the season I hoped he would have five years ago. His spread and ball use has been first class this year. He may even win the B and F. Prior to this year he wasnt a top line mid, where as Sewell has enjoyed that mantle for a number of years. Plus, the commodities that Sewell exhibits are rarer and therefore more valuable than the qualities of Lewis's game.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Sewell easily.

Lewis has had one really good year, this year and Sewell is a B&F winner.

I expect Taz to go past him but as of today it is Sewelly and Sewelly handsomely.

 

[Main Man]

Lewis was playing at a very high level in 08.

His possession counts for every game that year read, 31 - 20 - 22 - 24 - 36- 23 - 28 - 24 - 22 - 7 - 10 - 30 - 38 - 22 - 26 - 33 - 35 at an average of 25.3.

In the first 2 finals he has 22 and 27 possessions before having less impact (reportedly under the weather) in the GF, although still had 21 possessions that day.

He was playing at a very high level back then and could argue that he was on par with Sewell, he had a below standard 09 with injury issues and can't remember much about his 2010.

The 2011 final series he elevated his game to another level, 2012 was not as good as 11 but still very strong and has been excellent the last 2 years, particularly this year.

Sewell was A grade for 2 or 3 seasons there but hard to argue he has had a better career than Lewis who still has plenty of good years to come.

 

[Main Man]

Sewell easily.

Lewis has had one really good year, this year and Sewell is a B&F winner.

I expect Taz to go past him but as of today it is Sewelly and Sewelly handsomely.

False, people have very short memories.

I'd argue that Lewis has been the more consistent player since 09-10 with a few cameos from Sewell, namely the 2013 GF performance but there have also been periods where Sewell has been well down on form and found himself out of the team.

 

[Snibs]

Brad Sewell (197 games, 31 goals) From 2005-2008 Sewell was performing better then Lewis, he started his career in defense in 2005 then shifted into the midfield in 2007 and became a renowned tagger/inside midfielder of the competition and was a force during his prime when we won the flag in 2008.
Jordan Lewis (210 games, 118 goals) Since the start of 2008 and up until now in season 2014, Lewis has been better during that time frame. Can play as a midfielder, tagger and is a damaging half forward at his best. Is leading our best & fairest right now. He's been our most consistent midfielder over the last four-five years, whereas Sewell has dropped off a bit over the last couple of years due to injuries and age catching up to him.

Who's had the better career? In my opinion I reckon it's Jordan Lewis that's had the better career to date but not by much though.

Sam Mitchell and I both disagree.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

False, people have very short memories.

I'd argue that Lewis has been the more consistent player since 09-10 with a few cameos from Sewell, namely the 2013 GF performance but there have also been periods where Sewell has been well down on form and found himself out of the team.

I said one really good year.

IMHO this year Lewis has been heads above any previous year irrespective of stats.

I certainly don't recall him being in the top handful for the Peter Crimmins medal, yet he's probably leading it this year.

He's not been close to an AA selection before and whilst he probably won't get one this year, I'd be disappointed if he was not in the squad.

 

[Hawker55]

Sewell would also have won the Norm Smith in 2012 if Buddy had kicked straight.

They've both done well, but when Lewis retires he will be looked upon as one of our greats, Sewell will have been a warrior but not quite to that level.

 

[Rushed_Behind]

Why don't have both?

 

[QuietB]

Very surprised Lewis has played more games. Lewis looks like he will easily be a Hawks 300 gamer the way he is going.

My vote is Lewis. More versatile. Better skills. Criminally underrated player as well.

Is there a chance Sewell does not get to 200?

 

[Cyril the Squirrel]

Both have had jekyll and hyde careers with good and poor seasons. I loved the way Sewell plied his trade in the clinches at his peak but he doesn't have the versatility required for the modern Hawks gameplan.. Lewis possess all the attributes (except speed) and was magnificent in 2008 but really struggled for a while after that. If Lewis can maintain his consistency he can take the next step, but at this stage I think they're even.

 

[Wundo]

Meh.. probably Lewis but it's a bit early to tell.
What I really want to know, who has better poise, which player seems to create time and space in traffic, better: Mitchell or Burgoyne?

 

[MisterBean]

I'm surprised that Lewis has played more games than Sewell.

At this stage, I would have Sewell ahead by a whisker, but it looks like Lewis will end up having the better career overall.

 

[MinerBoy]

Sewell would also have won the Norm Smith in 2012 if Buddy had kicked straight.

They've both done well, but when Lewis retires he will be looked upon as one of our greats, Sewell will have been a warrior but not quite to that level.

Buddy would have won the NSM if Buddy had kicked straight.

 

[MightyHawks86]

Both are underrated players. Sewell was an absolute gun in the midfield in 2007/08, and Lewis is enjoying career-best form at the moment. My view is that Lewis just edges out Sewell in the consistency stakes. Not by much though

 

[Thaihawk]

Found them very hard to separate, as they are both have been very good role players for our club. However, this year Lewis seems to have a more attacking mid role which makes him a very valuable goal kicking mid fielder, and slightly in front of Brad.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

I'm biased, but I'll take Clubber Sewell.

Lewis is a top 10 (to be accurate, pick 7) in a loaded draft, so it's clear that he came to the club with a great base of natural talent. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to properly harness that talent, but let's not forget that Sewell came to Hawthorn as a rookie-drafted player. Sewell forced his way into Hawthorn's team as a dour back pocket type, before finding his way into midfield primarily as a tagger. He played the roles that don't win a lot of recognition outside the club and then by sheer dint of determination re-invented himself again as a ball-winning inside midfielder strong enough to hold off tackles and fire out handpasses. He's never been a pretty player and his kicking has always lacked polish, but he's blue-collar player who has been part of Hawthorn's Rolls-Royce engine for quite some time.

Lewis is a terrific player and I'm very happy he is a Hawthorn player, but mostly on where both players have come from, I'll take Sewell.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Firstly, Dixie Flatline, a fantastic summation of your thoughts, and tough to fault. Great stuff.

Now, for me, It's Lewis. Better skills, better goal-kicker, better all around player. Sewelly has been an fantastic player for us, and as Dixie pointed out, has progressed to where he is. But then again, so has Lewis. Played in the midfield, but was for a long time played as a half forward/defensive half forward where his deft little left-footers spotted up Bud so many many times.

Love Sewelly, been a massive warrior for us, but I'd take Lewis's career overall.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

This seems to be a bit like the Lake vs Gunners for the Norm Smith.

I thought Gunston had the better game, but because Lake did it closer to the evaluation and judgement time, he stood out more and was fresh in people's memories.

 

[Main Man]

This seems to be a bit like the Lake vs Gunners for the Norm Smith.

I thought Gunston had the better game, but because Lake did it closer to the evaluation and judgement time, he stood out more and was fresh in people's memories.

I think you are underrating Lewis's performance prior to this year, yes Sewell was better up until 07 when Lewis was was just starting out, 08 they were both very good, 09 you will probably give it to Sewell but since then I would say Lewis has been clearly the more consistent and better player.

Last 2-3 years he has been better no question about it.

 

[HR Roughnstuf]

Both champs of the club.

Sewell was a contested ball monster in 07 and 08. Also I would say that Sewell was probably our best player in 09 or 10 (can't remember which one, try to forget those years and they end up merging together as one). Sewell was also close to best on ground in the 2012 GF.

Lewis has played pretty well in finals, was unbelievable in the 2011 prelim. Lewis shades Sewell for mine because of his age mainly, he still has 4-5 years of elite football left and is a good chance to crack 300 games and win another premiership or 2. He also uses the ball a bit better than Sewelly and Sewell has lost a little bit of his monstering ability in the clinches.

 

[moginie]

Sewell is an absolute favorite of mine & he's worked as hard as possible to get the best out of himself.

But I'll take the emotion out of it all & I have to say Lewis.

 

[dipper86]

Lewis is a the peak of his powers.........Lewis best (this year) has been better than Sewell's best.(over his career)

Who has had the better career thus far I'd probably say Sewell just..... Lewis will surpass him by the end of it and by a fair margin too.

 

[Smiggs Pig]

Like others in this thread I have gone Sewell, a very close call but Sewell's amazing finals form get him the nod from me, but clearly in the end Lewis will have had a better career after another 3-4 years of high level footy.