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FWC on Sport Nation guide“No surer thing”: The Hawk who could lead Collingwood's attack
Jaiden Sciberras • July 15th, 2026 9:20 am
Collingwood are active in the free agency market, and Luke Hodge believes a secondary target could be the answer for a range of the club’s current on-field issues.
Currently in the driver’s seat to land the signature of Brisbane star Lachie Neale, the Pies have the capacity to land a second major free agent acquisition.
And with Ben King some chance to land at Hawthorn, the door opens up for one of the Hawks’ many talented key forwards to find a new home.
Appropriately timed, one of Hawthorn’s key men in Mitch Lewis enters the 2026 off-season without a contract, and Hodge believes that his talents have him well-suited to step into a lead role with the Pies.
“If I was having a guess at it, I would say the second player is going to be Mitch Lewis, because of the machinations at Hawthorn surrounding Ben King,” Gerard Whateley said on SEN’s Whateley.
“For the liquorice all-sorts forward line that Craig McRae has, would Mitch Lewis help him?”
Hodge believes the 27-year-old unrestricted free agent would be the perfect player for the Pies to pursue.
“They cleared Brody Mihocek to go to Melbourne last year – the money wasn’t a hell of a lot more than what Collingwood was offering,” the Hawks premiership captain said.
“A lot thought that it was clearing out for Ben King to come, but obviously that’s turned to the Hawthorn side.
“Having a key pillar down there, you can see that as being a short form for them this year. They brought in Jack Buller, but Mihocek was that heart-and-soul compete for you (player).
“I think Mitch Lewis (can be exactly that). There’s something about Mitch Lewis for me.
“I know there’s the games where Jack Gunston has been out, but if you give him a run at AFL level, I think he’s got the capacity to take big strong marks, he is a beautiful long kick of the footy.
“If he has a fair run, he could lead a forward line. No surer thing.”
Lewis has kicked 25 goals in 17 games this year for a career total of 158 goals in 95 games.
