Player zones out in press conference

Hawthorn's Brad Sewell stared into the middle distance and shifted uncomfortably in his seat during a post-match press conference alongside coach Alastair Clarkson at the weekend.

All but two of the 17 questions asked at the conference were directed towards Clarkson, and Sewell initially spent his time looking towards the desk. 

He then lifted his eyes and looked towards the back of the assembled media throng, before shifting his gaze again towards the club's PR person standing at the side of the room. 

Sewell then cleared his throat, fidgeted with his hands and shifted in his seat, before staring blankly into the middle distance for approximately 30 seconds. He then looked down to the desk again, before shifting his gaze to focus on Clarkson, who was at that point answering a question about the club's next four games. 

Sewell would sometimes focus on the journalist asking a question of Clarkson, before again returning his gaze to either the desk or his coach. Occasionally he would nod his head thoughtfully, as if in agreement with what the coach was saying. 

After 14 minutes, an SEN reporter asked Sewell a question about how hard it had been to play against Chris Judd. Sewell answered politely. He was then asked a follow-up question, which he again answered, before the press conference ended. Sewell mouthed the word 'thanks', nodded and shuffled off behind his coach. 

The AFL this year made it compulsory for clubs to bring out a player to join coaches at every post-match press conference. AFL Media claims it has been a huge success.