Sliding door moments are as true in sport as in everyday life, just ask this month’s Don Deeble nominee, Astin Hewett.
He won a scholarship to Maribyrnong Sports Academy for football and he was focused on that dream.
After all, his extended family connections had made AFL lists and he was playing in the Coates Talent League with the Western Jets.
Life was a dream, his targets had been set.
Hewett started Auskick when he was five and played with Point Cook Centrals until under-16s with top five Western Football League best and fairest finishes along the way.
He moved to Keilor to play under former AFL star Mick McGuane and made it to the Jets.
While at MSA, he was introduced to another sport, gridiron. It was when things changed.
“I was big for my age and adapted to the skills required to play easily,” he said. “There was no sport played in 2020 or 2021.
“Gridiron was a summer sport in Victoria but overlapped with the start of the AFL season.”
Hewett joined the Western Crusaders powerhouse gridiron team late in 2021 having found a love for the sport.
“I was still invested in AFL but this new sport was intoxicating,” Hewett reflected.
“Western Jets season started in 2022 at the same time the gridiron season was entering finals. “I chose the Jets, the Crusaders lost their semi final after having a great season.”
While he chose the Jets, Hewett still decided to try out for the Victorian under-19 gridiron team at the end of 2022.
He was unsuccessful but it fuelled a fire within him and his focus became, “I must work harder”.
“The gridiron season 2022-2023 was the most fun I ever had playing team sport,” he said.
“Our under-16 team dominated the season.”
Hewett was named in the Gridiron Victorian team in 2023 and then later in 2024.
Still not sure which sport was for him, Hewett played three games for the Jets in 2023 as a tall defender and by his own admission they weren’t great.
After his best pre-season, it ended quickly when he broke his finger in round three.
“Then through a series of mishaps and a further stress fracture of my foot I was unable to get back into training properly and missed the remainder of the season,” he said.
The two injuries meant that Hewett couldn’t start running until April the following year.
Confined to walking only, he decided to put up his hand for Australian Outback gridiron under-20 selection.
“I was full disclosure to my coaches [on my injuries],” he said.
“In the two days of tryouts I completed all of the off field coaching but just threw the ball on field.
“The coaches had seen enough. I made the Australian team.”
Hewett was the second youngest in the team and one of the two quarterbacks chosen.
“I was given the all clear to train,” he said of the lead up.
“I spent four days a week in the gym undergoing a strength and conditioning program to get into the best physical condition I could. Throwing practice was held every Saturday.”
The Australian Outback gridiron team landed in Canada in June to play in the IFAF World Championships.
Hewett was named captain and starting quarterback.
“It was an amazing experience,” he said. “Unfortunately, we only won one of our three games, but it was the first time an Australian team had won a game in a tournament for many years.”
Hewett said he’s a dual threat on the field and describes himself as a leader who leads by example.
He tries to set the standards and it’s afraid to hold his teammates to account.
Having decided to focus on just gridiron, Hewett is keen for what the future holds.
“I have just finished my last year 12 exam and hope to be offered a place in the Deakin University sports science course,” he said. “USA College football would be amazing but let’s see how that all unfolds.”
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact at swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.
