WHEN George Hewett runs out on Sunday for Carlton, he will become just the 61st player to feature in 100 VFL/AFL games for two different clubs.

One day after Brisbane’s Josh Dunkley becomes the 60th, the Swan-turned-Blue adds to the list of Carlton centurions, joining the likes of Chris Judd, Eddie Betts and Greg Williams who also have their name on the locker elsewhere.

The much-loved midfielder isn’t necessarily the reflective type, instead preferring to lock in on the task at hand - another key game for the Blues when they take on the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium. However, the occasion wasn’t lost on his young son, Henry.

“I was telling Henry about it, and he reckons he’s got the choice of two clubs now,” Hewett said with a smile when chatting to Carlton Media earlier this week.

“I think back to when I was 17, all I wanted to do was make the state under-18 squad of 40, just so I could wear the SA footy shorts. To now be able to play 100 games at two great clubs, it’s been awesome.

“It’s been so enjoyable and fun, the coolest experience… there’s been some ups and downs and challenges along the way, but it’s been so cool.”

One of those challenges could be seen as Hewett’s 2026 stint in the VFL, despite entering the campaign as the reigning John Nicholls Medallist.

True to character and form, the way Hewett took the news was no surprise. Accepting it for what it was, Hewett saw it as an opportunity to get to work - and that’s exactly what he did.

“I don’t know what you’d call it, but I just knew that I was going to get back in the team and play my part when I got back there.”

Hewett has done more than that. And there’s no doubt that the three games for the Carlton Reserves have well and truly paid him back in the weeks that have followed.

After rule changes leading into the season, Hewett used the time away from senior level to refine his game, and the numbers speak for themselves. In his first six games of the season, Hewett was averaging just shy of 20 disposals, 3.5 clearances and 2.3 inside 50s per game.

Since the Port Adelaide game, Hewett’s numbers have gone through the roof. With the exception of the Hawthorn game (where Hewett was injured and didn’t return after the first term), Hewett’s last 10 games has seen him average 26.5 disposals, 4.8 clearances and four inside 50s.

Most tellingly, he has kicked 12 goals from 10 games (after one in his opening six), while he’s now accumulating five more uncontested possessions on average per game.

“I’ve been studying the way the game is being played a lot, and I feel like I’ve got a good grasp on where the game is going now. I feel like it suits the way I like to play the game.

“It probably took a while to get to that point at the start of the year, but I’ve really trained hard and I’m really confident I can be a good player with the way the game is going.”

AFL Interim Coach Josh Fraser and assistant coach Leigh Adams have shed further light on that in recent weeks, highlighting the ultimate professional that Hewett is.

Speaking after the Richmond game where Hewett received maximum coaches’ votes, Fraser said: “He’s team-first, George. He’ll do whatever the team requires… I spoke about 10 weeks ago that the challenge was for our experienced players to find ways to get better, and George is no different. I love how he goes about it.”

Adams added: “It’s a huge credit to George, because he’s been able to change his game. His ability to change his game to fit the modern game - to get out and run and make really good contest decisions - has gone to a different level.”

At IKON Park, just like it was at the SCG for years prior, Hewett is one of those characters who teammates absolutely love. A first-class character and elite trainer, Ollie Florent - who has shared both the Sydney and Carlton guernsey with Hewett - summed up this week’s milestone man perfectly.

“He’s such a great character… he’s one we all love playing with.”