Fortunately for young Swan George Hewett he was able to bring a little bit of home with him to Sydney – his former senior coach.
The teenager was recruited by the Sydney Swans at the end of last year from the North Adelaide Football Club - a club that for the past three seasons had been coached by former Port Adelaide champion Josh Francou, who coincidently was appointed as the Swans Development Manager around the same time.
Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au, Hewett said he is lucky to be able to continue working closely with Francou at their new club.
“Josh has been great,” Hewett said.
“On Draft night, knowing he was here at the Swans already, it just made it even easier for me.
“I used to be a bit scared of him last year when he was the senior coach (at North Adelaide), but he’s just been brilliant.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with him and he’s really smart and is just a good person.”
The midfielder, who is the youngest player on the club’s list with a birth date at the very end of 1995, said he’s also been able to turn to Francou for both on-and-off-field assistance.
“He’s probably one of the people I’m closest with at the club,” Hewett said.
“I just go to him for advice whenever I need it and he’s just so easy to talk to.”
Francou shares an affection for Hewett, who he believes has taken massive steps forward since he arrived at the club late last year.
“I do have a bit of a soft spot for George because he’s a North boy and I’m a North boy,” Francou said.
“When I was watching the Draft, obviously his name came out of the hat, and my first reaction was that I was pleased someone I know was coming into the club as well.
“It’s just great that he’s over here.”
Despite having an interrupted first pre-season at the club, with the teenager undergoing minor knee surgery in his first month at the Swans, Francou said Hewett has worked hard to prepare himself for life at an AFL club.
“Given he was only a 17-year-old when he arrived, he wasn’t as physically mature as some of the other boys,” Francou said.
“I watched his progress at North Adelaide and straight out of school he came over to Sydney and almost straight away had to have a knee operation, which set him back.
“But if you look at the transformation in his body from then until now, it’s been amazing.
“He’s put on around four kilos and he’s starting to look like a man who is ready to play senior footy.”
Since arriving at the club, Hewett admitted that he’s had to push his body to new levels.
The 18-year-old and the Swans Development group regularly train alongside a number of senior Swans, including club leaders Ben McGlynn and Rhyce Shaw.
The Swans leaders took part in the reserves’ running session earlier this week, which Hewett said was a great motivation for the younger players.
“If you’re not feeling driven yourself, it’s always good to have someone else driving you along,” he said.
“I do think we’re all quite driven, but to have someone else doing all the vocal stuff it just makes you give a little bit extra.
“I’ve always been quite motivated and determined, but everyone else here is the same, so I’ve tried to learn off them and work up to their standards.”
George Hewett at Swans training earlier this week
Hewett said he had also benefitted from the advice of his senior mentor, Josh Kennedy, who the young player teamed up with over the pre-season.
“I’ve got Josh Kennedy as my mentor and I’ve caught up with him a few times,” he said.
“He’s got such a good insight on the game.
“I remember when I used to watch him and now just sitting down being able to talk to him is pretty special.”
Hewett played his first official game for the club in the NEAFL round one win over the Brisbane Lions reserves at the Gabba last Sunday.
The now 18-year-old played the majority of the match in the midfield, before spending time on the wing and up forward.
This weekend, the Swans reserves take on UWS at Spotless Stadium and Hewett said he’s looking forward to another challenge.
“We can take a lot of confidence out of our last game against the Lions,” he said.
“We just need to keep doing the things we did well and our defensive pressure was really good and our ball use was pretty good as well.
“It does take time to get to know how everyone plays, but it’s been good and I can’t wait to play again.”
