Port Broughton poster boy George Hewett has secured a move to AFL club Carlton as the Blues' rebuild under Michael Voss gathers steam.
Hewett, a legend of the Broughton-Mundoora’s A grade side, was thanked by the Sydney Swans’ Executive General Manager of Football Charlie Gardiner who placed his gratitude on the record for the departing star.
“George is a terrific person and has been a wonderful contributor to our club over the past eight seasons.”
“He is a great competitor and has been a really consistent player for us over his 120-game career.”
“We regard him highly as both a player and person. He has been a very popular and respected player within the four walls of our club.”
“While we are disappointed to see him depart, we wish him, Alice and Henry all the very best.”
It recently emerged that Hewett was being courted by the Carlton brains trust spearheaded by new coach Michael Voss after the Swans decided not to match the sizeable offer made by Carlton for the ex-North Adelaide star.
Carlton formalised an offer for the versatile Prince Alfred College graduate late last week and after Sydney’s decision not to match the offer put forward by the Blues over a three-day grace period, Hewett was permitted to join officially join Carlton.
It is believed Carlton will seek to deploy Hewett as a defender in 2022.
The 25-year-old averaged 18 disposals and two clearances a game for Sydney in the AFL this year.
After declining to match Carlton's deal for Hewett, the Swans will be awarded an end-of-second-round compensation selection in the upcoming AFL draft.
Hewett is remembered fondly by football fans hailing from his hometown in the Northern area of the Yorke Peninsula.
Hewett finished runner-up in the Northern Areas Football Association’s junior colts best and fairest as a young up-and-comer. He trained with Broughton-Mundoora’s A grade at the same age as Northern Areas Football Association president Andrew Bowley when he achieved the same feat.
Bowley, who is steeped in Port Broughton’s football folklore, recounted how impressed he was seeing Hewett progress through the grades as a youngster in a 2016 interview with The Advertiser.
“On the footy field, he was certainly a ball magnet.”
“He wasn’t that big but he was certainly skilful enough to hold his own with the seniors.”
Carlton’s Head of List Management Nick Austin welcomed the club’s latest addition as the Blues prepare for a make-or-break first season for new coach Michael Voss.
“We’re delighted to welcome someone of George’s calibre, both as a player and a person, to our football club.”
"It’s so important in the modern game to be able to have depth in numbers in the midfield. George is smart, he’s tough and he’ll do whatever job the team requires.”
"He’s got over 100 games of experience, he’s featured in finals and performed well in them. He gives us a different look in our midfield group and we think he’s someone our fans will really resonate with given his manic attack on the football.”
"We’re always looking for ways to bolster our list and George does exactly that. We’re looking forward to seeing him link up and get to work with his new teammates and our new AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss when pre-season begins.”