Jermaine Miller-Lewis returns to South Fremantle

THE South Fremantle Football Club is delighted to continue to welcome back home grown talents to the Bulldogs with Jermaine Miller-Lewis to return in 2017 following two years in the AFL with Hawthorn.

The signing of Miller-Lewis to return to South Fremantle comes on the back of Tom Vandeleur (Fremantle), Mason Shaw (Port Adelaide), Dylan Main (West Coast) and Blaine Johnson (Carlton) all returning to the Bulldogs last year after time in the AFL.

During the 2016 season, the four managed to combine for 63 WAFL league matches in strong returns to South Fremantle following their AFL journeys.

That came on the back of the likes of Ashton Hams and Steven Verrier returning to South Fremantle after they spent time in the AFL as well previously with both also important players in the Bulldogs' strong 2016 campaign.

Another player to return to South Fremantle after time in the AFL in recent years is 2009 premiership player Cory Dell'Olio.

He came back to the Bulldogs from Essendon in 2015 and had a good season as the leading goalkicker and representing Western Australia in the state game win over South Australia.

After being forced to sit out the entire 2016 season, he has recommitted to the Bulldogs signing a new two-year contract that will see him return in 2017 and add to his 74-game, 142-goal WAFL career.

Miller-Lewis is now yet another South Fremantle product to return home to Fremantle Community Bank Oval in 2017.

The richly-talented youngster was rookie-listed by Hawthorn in 2014 despite having an injury-ravaged season that year. But his colts matches in 2013 on the back of performances that year in the WA State 18s side and the 16s the previous season was all the Hawks needed to see.

He overcame stress fractures in his foot in 2014 to be picked up in the Rookie Draft by Hawthorn.

Over the past two years while listed with Hawthorn, Miller-Lewis firstly played 14 VFL reserves matches with the Box Hill Hawks in 2015 kicking seven goals. He was also part of the team that lost the reserves VFL grand final by a point to Williamstown.

Then in 2016, he spent more time at senior level in the VFL with the Box Hill Hawks playing 10 league matches and showing some encouraging signs of development.

However, Hawthorn decided not to renew Miller-Lewis' rookie contract at the end of 2016 leaving the 20-year-old to now commit to a return to South Fremantle in 2017.

There is much more to Miller-Lewis than his football ability, though, and he has continued to work on his art work while in Melbourne with the Hawks.

He began creating Aboriginal artwork five years and he takes great pride in his work, showcasing and selling some of his pieces under the name Yellowbidi Dreaming Artwork.

South Fremantle is now looking forward to welcoming back both Miller-Lewis' football abilities and his artwork back to the club in 2017.