By JARROD POTTER
TALENT has pushed Perry Lewis-Smith to the peak of junior football… but his determination and discipline will help him achieve just as strongly in the senior ranks.
Lewis-Smith, 16, capped off his 11th and final junior football season in emphatic fashion. The Parkmore Pirates’ Premier-2 captain brilliantly signed off on his South East Juniors (SEJ) journey – helping his side to an 80-point grand-final victory over Fountain Gate, with his 44-possession, three-goal performance making him the fitting choice for the best-on-ground medal. And it wasn’t a solo effort, as the skipper also had six goal assists to support his Pirates’ crew in the clash.
Two nights later Lewis-Smith finished equal-first on 27 votes in the SEJ league best and fairest to round off the amazing week.
“I was pretty excited – I’ve came second a couple of times, so I was really excited to win the league best and fairest this time,” Lewis-Smith said.
“It was my last year and probably my best year as well, so I was really stoked with how the weekend, and during the week, went.”
It makes for an amazing end to 2015 but even more astounding considering he only just switched over to the Pirates this year to improve his football and was asked by the coach – former AFL footballer Rick Bean – to join the side… and also become its captain.
“The only reason was the coach Rick Bean,” Lewis-Smith said.
“He’s probably one of the best junior coaches in Australia and he got in contact with my parents and he got me over.
“Meant a lot and showed they had a lot of faith in me – I’ve never been captain before and it was a new thing for me – as I needed to bring leadership out on the field as well as my skills… my leadership skills improved throughout the season.”
While an elite athletic and footballing pedigree – including strong state-level finishes in athletics and cross country and wins at the Dromana Pier to Pub and Frankston Mini-Marathon – is worthy of celebration, Lewis-Smith remains humble and prefers to keep focused on the tasks ahead of him.
“I never really get overly excited about things – I’m happy about them, but never really show it,” Lewis-Smith said.
“But of course I’m over the moon with what I’ve achieved.”
He’s not sure where he’ll play his local football next year, but he’s already got his eyes set on the next big challenge – running out for the Sandringham Dragons in the 2016 TAC Cup competition where he hopes to push for a consistent spot and aim towards the AFL in years to come.
“I’ve achieved plenty and I’m looking forward to the future and what it holds – my goal is to play AFL football and I’m going to have a great pre-season this year, try to get on this Sandringham list and see how I go next year,” Lewis-Smith said.
“It’s a great way to finish off my junior career going into senior footy next year I was just really happy – I felt I had a really strong year, one of my better years.”
He wanted to thank Rick Bean, Michael Palma and everyone at the Parkmore Football Club and his parents for their support.
“All the clubs I’ve been to and been around, the Parkmore culture is definitely the best I’ve been around – with the way they helped me out and have supported me this year,” Lewis-Smith said.
