THE FABLED speed-endurance mix is something many modern day midfielders aspire to enhance, and it is a trait Swan Districts talent Elijah Hewett weaponises. Three games into his WAFL League career, the solidly built ball winner has carried on from the bottom-age form which had him poised as Western Australia’s top draft prospect this year.

Hewett represented his state at Under 17s level before Colts premiership success in 2021, and will be a key figure among the Sandgropers’ Under 18 squad in 2022. He has proven physically ready for the senior grades after making his top flight debut in Round 1, and fetched 14 touches as the Swans beat Perth by five points on Saturday.

We put Hewett’s Round 3 performance under the Player Focus microscope.

Swan DistrictsMidfielder

Elijah Hewett

Height: 185cm

Weight: 85kg

DOB: 27-05-2004

Strengths:

Agility

Contested work

Explosiveness

Strength

Speed-endurance mix

Improvements:

Consistency

Kicking

Draft range: Top 20

SEASON SO FAR

Averages: 3 games | 14.0 disposals (6.7 kicks, 7.3 handballs), 2.0 marks, 4.3 tackles, 2.7 inside 50s, 0.3 goals (1 total)

Hewett looked relatively settled from the get-go at League level, and has produced consistent numbers which showcase his greatest assets. The soon to be 18-year-old averages bang on his weekend tally of 14 disposals, having notched 11 in Round 1 and a high of 17 the following week. He booted his maiden goal in the latter game, and has maintained a strong tackling output of just over four on average. Hewett certainly has strengths at the contest, but with such a good tank, he can certainly begin to accumulate should he continue his run in the top WAFL tier.

2022 WAFL League – Round 3
Swan Districts 12.6 (78) def. Perth 10.13 (73)

Stats: 14 disposals (7 kicks, 7 handballs), 1 mark, 4 tackles, 6 inside 50s

FIRST QUARTER

While not among the starting centre bounce mix, Hewett was thrust straight into midfield during term one and ended up attending four of the six total restarts. At Colts level, the youngster would normally impose himself physically, but took on a different role in his third senior appearance.

The Black Ducks’ brigade of ball winners saw Hewett squeezed down the pecking order a touch, though he was still able to showcase his stoppage smarts. Whether it was wrapping up opponents to force stoppages or peeling off for a handball receive, Hewett had to hustle for his possessions.

One such example saw him sprint hard off the bench to receive on the wing, running his full measure before delivering inside 50. That outside run, credit to Hewett’s endurance, would be his main method for the day in a showcase of strong midfield balance.

SECOND QUARTER

Making his standard rotation off the bench after four minutes, Hewett again featured on-ball and looked to compete at the stoppages, even with little reward. That same theme remained as he worked hard on the spread, seen charging forward as Swan Districts got on the front foot.

With Perth on top in the first half, Hewett found it a touch difficult to gain much free possession, and it showed when one particular snap inside 50 went further up than forward. A touch more composure in the clinches would have served him nicely, but the work rate he showed became more prominent as the game wore on and opened up.

THIRD QUARTER

Having attended nearly two-thirds of the centre bounces in the first half, Hewett assumed a more outside role after half time with time on the wing. Having scuppered his opening kick of the third quarter, Hewett displayed much better composure on the next one with a confidence-boosting play at half-forward.

At stoppage, the 17-year-old shrugged off an opponent with pure strength and powered away before delivering on his left foot inside 50. Swans forward Christopher Jones marked and converted, putting an assist in Hewett’s stats column.

The assuredness he showed to use both feet when kicking on the move was impressive, and Hewett got involved in another scoring chain shortly after. Winning a holding free kick at half-forward, he booted long to the hot spot where the Swans won another free kick and converted.

With more freedom and space to move into, Hewett better showcased his skills and the kind of damage he can do when breaking from congestion. His confidence seemed to lift after his goal assist, and it carried on into the final term.

FOURTH QUARTER

Much like in term three, Hewett attended only one centre bounce in his time on-field but got to plenty of stoppages from his post on the wing. He hit another two slick passes to find Jones inside 50, who put both shots wide. Hewett’s turn of speed and improved decision making were on show with those disposals.

Collecting the most effective possessions he had all game in term four, Hewett’s intent to go quickly and spark some forward momentum for the Swans proved useful in their comeback victory. While that rush of blood at the contest remained, he looked much more composed overall after half time and ended the game strongly.

Overall, Swan Districts coaches will have likely been pleased with Hewett’s work rate throughout the match. While often unrewarded or not quite clean enough to make his runs count, he got going with a bit more green ball and showed what he could do on the attack with time and space.

14 disposals and six inside 50s are solid numbers, and would be just about double at Colts level given his 186cm, 82kg frame which bodes well for inside domination. Against bigger bodies, he adapted his play style well and has given an early insight into how he may fit in at the next level before imposing his contested game. He has that rare inside-outside balance, and speed-endurance mix to do both effectively.