Jordan Lewis' decision to play on at Melbourne in 2020 'up in the air'

Lewis returned home to the south-west on Tuesday to host a Born and Bred Junior Football Clinic at his stomping ground at Reid Oval.

The 33-year-old, who started his career as a junior at Emmanuel Hawks before switching to Warrnambool, was unsure whether 2019 would be his final year.

"We still haven't decided it," the four-time premiership player told The Standard.

"It's up in the air and my form has been pretty good of late but I'm also realistic so I've had conversations with Goody (coach Simon Goodwin) all year and been quite transparent in that aspect and we'll decide when the time is right."

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Lewis, who has played a combined 317 games at Hawthorn and Melbourne, said the Demons need to factor in a "whole factor of reasons" when considering his future.

"They need to look at where the list is at and who they want to trade in, trade out and where they need to improve next year," he said.

"So it's not just a straightforward yes or no."

The former first-round draft pick, who was picked at number seven by the Hawks in 2004, said he was open to either of the two routes retired players take once they hang up the boots.

"We haven't set in stone what it (retirement) may look like, whether that be in the coaching path or media path but we will finalise that over the next few weeks," he said.

The father-of-three confirmed his future outside of the AFL wouldn't feature a return to Warrnambool.

"I played a few games in the VFL this year and I was always recited to the fact that I wouldn't continue to play after my AFL career came to an end," he said.

"But I have really enjoyed that style of football and football that isn't heavily scrutinised so I would probably find myself playing in town (Melbourne) whether that be VFL or amateurs I don't know.

"It's always great to come back down here (to Warrnambool) but the drive would take its toll and especially with a young family to commit to that would be unfair."

With Hawks premiership teammate Jarryd Roughead announcing his retirement on Monday, Lewis was all for seeing one of his close friends in a farewell match against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium this Sunday.

"He will play this week which is great and me and my family will go along and support him," he said. "It's always good to see those players out there for one more time."

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