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JORDAN Lewis's management approached Melbourne about a potential move to the Demons as Hawthorn wrestled with ways to get young midfielders Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O'Meara into the club.

Despite their initial surprise, the Demons are understood to have considered the prospect of recruiting Lewis, who has one season to run on his contract, before the shock news broke on Wednesday that Sam Mitchell may join West Coast.

This is believed to have changed the landscape, with the Hawks less receptive to the prospect of Lewis departing.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson met Lewis on Thursday to assure him he was a required player.

The 30-year-old is believed to have entertained a move after discussions with the Hawks at the end of a season in which he finished second in the best and fairest.

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His leadership and experience could have been an asset to Melbourne as it develops a young list, with Heritier Lumumba and the uncontracted Chris Dawes the only players with premiership experience.

Lewis has played in four premierships and 274 games with the Hawks, but AFL.com.au understands that he was aware pressure on his spot had increased in recent seasons.

He had a slow start to 2016, but turned things around in round 10 against the Brisbane Lions with 42 disposals and a goal.

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The Hawks recruited Jono O'Rourke in 2014, have the emerging Will Langford and Kieran Lovell on their list, and should add Mitchell and O'Meara to their midfield in 2017.  

Lewis, who was best and fairest and All Australian in 2014, is now unlikely to leave the Hawks after list manager Graham Wright said on Thursday he was a required player.

However, the veteran will be a free agent at the end of next season.