Carlton recruit George Hewett has been the “most underrated player” in the AFL for the best part of eight years, according to manager Robbie D’Orazio.
The 26-year-old was traded to the Blues in October last year after playing 120 games for Sydney.
After making his AFL debut in 2016, Hewett become a regular for the Swans as a tough defensive-minded midfielder, finishing runner-up in the club’s best and fairest in 2019.
The Swans received a pick at the end of the second round as compensation for losing Hewett.
It’s a new-look Blues midfield for 2022 following the arrivals of Hewett and Adam Cerra from Fremantle during last year’s trade period.
“Both players didn’t really have opportunities elsewhere when we were going through options for both players,” D’Orazio told Sportsday.
“Adam obviously had a quick chat to Melbourne, but Carlton was the one who had pick 6 on the table and I knew that trade could happen.
“As an agent you look at that and go, ‘I think Carlton can fit for him, plus where he fits in the midfield’.
“And George Hewett has been the most underrated player in the competition for the last eight years.
“He was outstanding last week (against Melbourne), too.”
Hewett is set to make his debut in the navy blue in Carlton’s Round 1 clash against Richmond at the MCG next Thursday night.