HAWTHORN Vice-captain Jordan Lewis was the overwhelming choice as best on ground in his team’s crucial Saturday night win over Sydney at the MCG.

Six Hawthorn players received votes from Coach Alastair Clarkson and Sydney counterpart John Longmire in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award, while just two Swans earned votes in the tight contest.

Lewis was awarded the maximum 10 votes from the coaches – five from each - as he lead the Hawks to victory in the second half.

The hard at it midfielder finished with a game-high 35 disposals along with seven inside 50s and five clearances but it was his outstanding second half that elevated him above all others.

When Hawthorn fell 23 points behind the Swans and looked headed for their fifth loss of the season thanks to the domination of the Sydney midfield, Lewis stepped up.

Five minutes into the third quarter the Swans had double the clearances of Hawthorn (11-22) but managed just 11 more for the game as Lewis and teammates Sam Mitchell and Ben McEvoy took over.

Lewis had a team-high four clearances in the second half, while also leading his side home with a brilliant 12-possession effort in the last quarter.

The Hawks ended up winning the clearances 35-33, which helped them overrun the Swans to record a 15.14 (104) to 13.16 (94) win.

In his 200th career game, Jarryd Roughead was deemed the second-best player on the ground thanks to his haul of four goals from eight scoring shots.

Hawthorn’s most dangerous forward on the night, Roughead also spent time in the midfield where he managed to also pick up 18 disposals and three clearances. 

Roughead was awarded seven votes.


Jarryd Roughead celebrates one of his four goals on Saturday night.

In his third game back from a serious hamstring injury, Mitchell picked up votes for the second week in a row, this time awarded four for his efforts.

Alongside Lewis, Mitchell was a dominant force in the midfield for the Hawks with 32 disposals and a team-high six clearances.

Like Lewis, Mitchell helped the Hawks secure victory with  10 possessions and three clearances in the tense final term.

Captain Luke Hodge and Paul Puopolo also featured in the votes, each picking up two votes for their roles in the win.

Hodge finished with 28 disposals (including eight in the last term), five tackles and four inside 50s, while Puopolo had one of his best games for the year with 15 touches and two goals.

Isaac Smith was the other Hawk to poll a vote as he picked up 18 touches and kicked three goals.

Ben McGlynn was the top vote getter for Sydney with three thanks to his 23 disposals and three goals, while Dane Rampe picked up one in defence.

The votes: Hawthorn v Sydney Swans
10 Jordan Lewis (Haw)
7 Jarryd Roughead (Haw)
4 Sam Mitchell (Haw)
3 Ben McGlynn (Syd)
2 Luke Hodge (Haw)
2 Paul Puopolo (Haw)
1 Dane Rampe (Syd)
1 Isaac Smith (Haw)

Leaderboard
83 Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
76 Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
76 Josh Kennedy (Sydney Swans)
72 Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
60 Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans)
59 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
57 Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
57 Joel Selwood (Geelong)
56 Matthew Priddis (West Coast)
52 Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs)