Country Footy Scores - Another Sewell earns honours

Newlyn FC Given the fact that his older brother Brad has won a flag and a best and fairest at Hawthorn and his younger brother Myles has three VFL premiership medals and a Liston Trophy in his keeping, it would be understandable if Adam Sewell was a tad envious of them. But that isn't his style.

''I'm just proud of what they've both been able to achieve,'' Sewell explained. ''When you consider where Brad came from, having to work his way off the rookie list, he has done a great job. And Myles has never dropped his bundle. He's kept playing really good footy year after year.''

Adam Sewell has every reason to be proud of his own achievements as well. The 27-year-old's impressive football resume includes a premiership at the Sewell family's home club, Newlyn, a flag with the Ballarat Swans and a large number of representative matches for the Central Highlands league and the Ballarat league.

His list of career highlights grows again on Sunday when he captains an AFL Victoria Country team against a side made up of the best players from B-grade to Division 4 in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.

''It's a tremendous honour,'' Sewell said. ''I was lucky enough to captain the team at the national country footy championships in Wagga Wagga last year.

''Speaking to our coach, John Cossar, during the week, I told him how much it means that they've put their faith in me again.

''Playing in these games, meeting a whole new group of people and coaches, is a great experience. And not everyone gets to play in finals, so for some guys this is their taste of a finals-like atmosphere and finals-like tempo.''

Sewell grew up battling against his siblings in all types of sporting contests in their backyard.

''It was always entertaining,'' he recalled with a chuckle. ''We've got a younger sister as well, and she didn't want to miss out on anything, so she was always jumping into the backyard brawls and games that we used to have. It was good fun.''

At the age of 18, during his final year at school, he played in Newlyn's drought-breaking 2003 Central Highlands league flag, which was the club's first senior premiership since 1992. (The Cats are marking the 10-year anniversary of the triumph on July 20).

Sewell soon stepped up to major league footy by joining the Ballarat Swans, where he made his name as a dashing and creative half-back. His toughness also shone out at the Swans, and there was no greater example than when the club qualified for the grand final in 2008.

After copping a heavy knock to his back in the preliminary final, Sewell could hardly touch his knees at training on the Thursday night. By game-day, however, he had convinced the coaches that he was right to go.

Sewell not only held his own in a frenetic contest against Darley, he also won a place in the club's folklore when he passed the ball to then-captain Ash Baker, who marked it just before the final siren sounded.

With the Swans trailing by one point, Baker calmly kicked a goal, handing them a famous five-point win and their first senior premiership in 20 years.

It proved to be a famous year for the Sewell family. In the weeks after Adam helped the Swans win their flag, Myles played in a VFL premiership for North Ballarat, then the following week Brad was part of the Hawthorn team that beat Geelong in the AFL grand final. The boys' parents, Pete and Biddy, were proud onlookers at each match.

These days Sewell is again running around at Newlyn, where he is into his second year as senior coach.

As for the chances of Myles or Brad ever lining up with Newlyn again, Sewell is confident it will happen. ''I've spoken to them about it seriously,'' he said. ''They've sort of jokingly told me they're up for it.

''At some stage, in the years to come, I think the three of us will run out together at Newlyn.

''But I've never played a senior game of footy with Brad, and I think I've only played one or two, if that, with Myles, so to be able to play some senior footy with my two brothers would be really special.''

On Saturday Sewell left the Newlyn boys in the hands of his non-playing co-coach Chris Gardner, as he was required to attend a team meeting and jumper presentation in Melbourne. Given the Cats won't be contending for the flag later this season, Sunday's game shapes as his grand final.

''This is the first time I've played against the Ammos, but every time you step out in a representative you're playing for some kind of bragging rights,'' Sewell said. ''This weekend we are playing to show the city boys that the guys out in the country can really play footy.''

By Adam McNicol

Article first appeared The Sunday Age, July 7 2013