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"He’s going to be a special player”: Norm Smith Medallist praises young Eagles star
Nicholas Quinlan • May 11th, 2025 1:00 pm
West Coast great Luke Shuey has been seriously impressed by youngster Elijah Hewett's development this season.
Hewett has been in fine form for the Eagles of late, having been set back by multiple injuries including sesamoiditis in his foot which forced him out of the entire 2024 campaign.
But having returned to the field in 2025, Hewett is showing why the Eagles selected him with Pick 14 in the 2022 draft.
In last weekend's loss to Melbourne he kicked three goals from 15 disposals while achieving a career high 21.1 rating points.
2018 Norm Smith Medallist Shuey, who is an assistant coach at West Coast, has been mightily impressed by the talented 20-year-old.
Shuey was Hewett's captain in 2023 and has seen him go through all the injury struggles to now begin delivering on his enormous potential.
“I think probably half of that has been our medical team actually getting him right,” Shuey said on SEN WA Breakfast.
“He hasn’t been able to put in a lot of work, the last 12 months obviously, with that foot.
“So, we got him right, and he came in over the pre-season. He had a setback here or there, but nothing long-term. With his strengths that we knew about when we drafted him, if he’s healthy and out on the field, you’re going to see glimpses anyway.
“He’s been able to string some footy together and get some consistency, and I think that has helped with his confidence.
“He’s starting to not have that doubt at the back of his mind about his body, he can purely focus on trying to get a kick and help the team win.
“It’s been good just seeing him have some good moments this year, and he can do some special things that you generally can’t teach.
“He’s got some natural talent that allows him to break the game open in certain ways, and when he rounds out his game and he can string performances together consistently, he’s going to be a special player.”
Hewett has also spoken this week about his injury struggles and has been pleased that he has been able to find some form.
“It’s been a long 18 months personally fighting through the challenges that footy throws at you, but super grateful to come out the other end and string a few good games together,” he admitted.
“Self-doubt is normal in sport and when I came back, you question, do I still have that speed and power?
“But I think that game against Essendon (22 disposals in Round 6), I reminded myself what I can do when I get up and going.
“I still have those traits, and if anything, I’m only going to get older, stronger and get better.
The Eagles will look to win its first game of the year on Sunday when they play Richmond at the MCG.
The first bounce will take place at 1:10pm AEST (11:10am AWST).
