Chris Lewis (footballer) facts for kids

Christopher Lockley Lewis (born 17 March 1969) is a former Australian rules footballer who played over 200 AFL senior games for the West Coast Eagles.

Early life

An indigenous Australian, Lewis is one of the sons of Irwin Lewis, a notable scholar, sportsman, public servant, and indigenous Australian artist. Like his father and older brothers Clayton and Cameron, he attended Christ Church Grammar School, one of the elite independent schools in Western Australia, for his secondary education, and later played Australian rules football for the Claremont Football Club in the West Australian Football League.

At the time Lewis attended Christ Church, the school apparently did not allow Year 10 students to play in the First XVIII football team (which was reserved for Year 11 and 12 boys, for safety reasons). However, Lewis' ability meant that an exception was made in his case. He was also a very good cricketer whilst at Christ Church.

Lewis first came to prominence during WA’s 1985 Teal Cup win as a member of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” along with future Eagles teammates John Worsfold, Guy McKenna, Peter Sumich, Chris Waterman, Paul Peos and Scott Watters.

VFL/AFL Career

Equal parts tenacious and silky-skilled, Lewis went on to become a member of the inaugural West Coast Eagles side that defeated Richmond in round 1, 1987. In the last game of that season he kicked a career-high 7 goals against St Kilda.

In 1990, he won the West Coast Eagles Club Champion Award. He was a member of the 1992 and 1994 WCE premiership teams, as well as the 1996 Claremont premiership team in the WAFL.

As a player, Lewis was considered as highly skilled - his passing skills were amongst the best in the AFL.

After missing the entire 1999 season with a foot injury, Lewis attempted to play on in 2000 but managed just three games before announcing his retirement. He was the final inaugural Eagle to retire from AFL football.

Finishing his AFL career as a well decorated, duel premiership, 200+ game player. Lewis’s career total of 259 goals is in the top 10 of the Eagles’ all-time list.

Post AFL Career

He coached Swan Districts in 2007 before moving to Port Hedland.[1] He remains involved in football by umpiring the reserves grade in the North Pilbara Football League.

Following his retirement Lewis has been honoured for his contribution to football by selection in the AFL’s Indigenous Team of the Century in 2005, being named as half forward flanker in the Eagles' 20th anniversary team in 2006, and the 25th anniversary team in 2011, as well as being inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2011.

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