Hawk Jordan Lewis says he's embarrassed by 'dive' against Dons
HAWTHORN vice-captain Jordan Lewis admits it was uncomfortable watching the replay of his 'dive' in the third quarter against Essendon on Friday night.
Lewis staged for a free kick after being pushed in the chest by Brendon Goddard, falling theatrically to the ground on the Hawks' defensive side of the wing.
To rub salt into the wound, Goddard played on from his mark and handballed forward while Lewis lay prone on the ground.
"I do remember it and once I saw it I didn't really like it, to be honest," he said of the incident on Monday.
"I suppose I probably hadn't had a kick up until then, so I thought if I can try and suck him in in any way I might get my first kick for the game.
"But I don't want to get a reputation for that."
Lewis has previously been on the receiving end of a stiff penalty because of staging.
The Hawks midfielder was suspended for one match in 2011 after then Essendon player Angus Monfries feigned contact from a head-butt to try to win a free kick in front of goal.
Essendon's Leroy Jetta copped a public hammering when he became the first AFL player charged for staging for a free kick in a match against Richmond in 2012.
Jetta received a written reprimand from the match review panel for that incident. Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley has also received a reprimand for staging.
A written reprimand is the first warning for players charged with staging, with financial sanctions the next step.
Meanwhile, Lewis said there was no panic from Hawthorn's players as they watched their 32-point half-time lead disappear in front of their eyes against Essendon last Friday night.
The Bombers booted six unanswered goals in the third term to hit the front, but the Hawks rallied – despite being without skipper Luke Hodge for most of the second half and late withdrawal Sam Mitchell (calf) – to secure a thrilling four-point victory.
"We were missing a few leaders and I think the thing that comes out of the game is there was maybe two minutes to go and we were 10 points down and not at one stage did I notice any panic on the ground," Lewis said.
"We still knew we had a fair bit of time to claw that lead back and we left it until 55 seconds to go to actually get in front, but I think it shows the maturity of the group.
"It was a pretty young side compared to last year's side that was out there and we really dealt with the pressure well."
Hawthorn will sweat on the fitness of Hodge (groin), Mitchell, midfielder Brad Sewell (hamstring), Ben Stratton (calf/hamstring), Matt Spangher (cork) and Jed Anderson (shoulder) this week ahead of Friday night's Grand Final rematch against Fremantle.
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