Dropped mid-season, Hawthorn’s experienced midfielder Brad Sewell never had any doubt he could force his way back into the side and play a key role on AFL grand final day.
He’d done it before in the 2008 premiership campaign and again in a losing team last year.
Sewell returned in round 17 after one week out of the senior side but questions were still being asked about his place in Hawthorn’s best 22 when the veteran had only 14 disposals in round 22 against North Melbourne.
Some of the old magic returned with a 27-possession haul against defending premiers Sydney in the final home and away round.
Sewell had shed some of his TV commitments late in the season, clearing his mind.
A slight change to his on-field role, including spending more time at half-back, has also rejuvenated the 29-year-old.
“There’s no doubt maybe I had been slightly pigeonholed to that midfield position,” Sewell told a media conference on Monday.
“(Having several players) being able to switch around has held us in really good stead.
“Regardless of what happens during the year, it’s a special time of year.
“To be playing in that last week, it’s a privilege to be involved.”
Asked if he’d had any doubts during the year if his ageing legs could still match his pacy rivals, Sewell gave a flat ‘no’.
“I’ve played well in big games. I’ve played well in finals before,” Sewell said.
“Everybody at some stage goes through little fluctuations. I had mine in the mid-part of the year and I’ve bounced back really well.
“You don’t want to get to the end of the year and wonder ‘what if’?
“I guess (by shedding media commitments) I was just sharpening the focus and putting everything else to the side and showing that all your energies are focused where they need to be.”
But unlike teammate Shaun Burgoyne, Sewell is not quite so adamant about Hawthorn’s overhwelming advantage in grand-final experience being a big factor on Saturday at the MCG.
“For a lot of the guys this will be our third grand final week,”, Sewell, said.
“But that being said, (Fremantle coach) Ross Lyon has been in this position a number of times and they’ve got some senior experienced players so I don’t think there’s any advantage in it.”