Never did George Hewett think a Grand Final berth was on the horizon when the young forward was received a phone call from coach John Longmire to confirm his Round 1 debut.
After the news broke, the 20-year-old didn’t allow himself to look any further than his next senior game.
Fast forward six months and his debut season and third year at the Sydney Swans has more than exceeded his expectations.
“I was just aiming for that first game, then hopefully a second, then a third,” Hewett said.
“I never thought this would be happening at the start of the year so to find ourselves in the position we’re in is exciting and something pretty special.
“It’s all moving pretty fast and it has only just sunk in.
“I’m just hoping we can go one step further; obviously I’m not thinking about that just yet, we’re thinking about what we have to do during the week and on Saturday but it’s still very exciting.”
One of the many talented finds of 2016, Hewett has played 23 games including all three finals leading into Saturday’s Grand Final against the Western Bulldogs.
He’s averaged 13 disposals and a goal a game as a player who prides himself on his defensive pressure, tackling and goal sense.
He’ll again be an important link in the chain on Saturday during a game in which intensity and ferocity will be at an all-time high.
Despite the hype, the ever-composed Hewett will be treating the clash just like any normal game.
“First five minutes will be on and hot, everyone will feel that, but after that it’s just another game,”
“You can’t do too much outside the square. Obviously the heat will be on a lot more but you just have to treat it like any other game and keep doing what we’ve been doing.”