Mitch Lewis discusses the toll of contract speculation

Hawthorn forward Mitch Lewis has revealed that ongoing speculation regarding his professional future took a mental toll during the season. The 27-year-old recently signed a four-year contract extension with the Hawks in July, rejecting significant interest from Collingwood.

Lewis noted that the constant media speculation and questioning were difficult to manage while performing on the field. Despite the uncertainty, he maintained a desire to stay with the club.

His contract follows the re-signing of veteran forward Jack Gunston and coincides with the expected arrival of Gold Coast spearhead Ben King, who is set to request a trade. Lewis stated that discussions with club management focused on his role as a wanted player rather than the arrival of other forwards, and he expressed no concern regarding how King might impact the team's forward line structure.