The key Hawk rating amongst the best talls in the AFL

After missing a significant chunk of football with injury, Hawthorn key forward Mitch Lewis has hardly missed a beat since his return.

In fact, Champion Data has rated the tall as one of the game’s best statistical key forwards over the last six weeks of football.

The Hawks flaunt a stacked list of key forward stocks, however in 2026, health has proved an issue for their front half mix. With Mabior Chol missing since Round 5 with a hamstring and 34-year-old superstar Jack Gunston battling with an ongoing foot concern, Mitch Lewis has had to up his load over the club’s luckless run.

In spite of their three-game winless run, Lewis has most certainly exceeded his quota. 12 goals in his last six, averaging just over 14 disposals and clunking nearly seven marks a game, the 27-year-old has finally hit his stride after playing just 12 games in his last two seasons.

Delving into the Champion Data statistics, representative Corey Mobilio named Lewis the AFL’s quietest achiever, continuing to go about his business in exceptional fashion.

“You look at him across the last six rounds, he is the number two rated key forward in the competition behind Jeremy Cameron,” Mobilio told SEN Breakfast.

“What he is doing well – obviously he is building continuity with his game, and that ring rust is gone. He has obviously spent a lot of time on the sidelines.

“He has taken the second most forward half marks of any key forward in the competition this year. What he is doing really well is hitting the logo, getting high up the ground and taking marks.

“Obviously, there offense does revolve around Jack Gunston. Mabior Chol back into that mix tonight will be interesting; how they lengthen the ground and plant him deep.

“Mitch Lewis, like I said, is starting to refine his game and is in really good form.”

SEN Breakfast co-host Garry Lyon questioned: “So, no Jack Gunston, Lewis blossoms?”

Mobilio: “Yeah (he does), and Chol coming back into that mix as well and Calsher Dear omitted… that’s going to be the chat up until the end of the year – just how you manage these four key forwards.”

Lewis’ fitness and form arrive at an opportune time, approaching unrestricted free agency at the conclusion of this season.

He and the Hawks face off against Adelaide at UTAS Stadium tonight at 7:30pm AEST.