Four-time Hawthorn premiership star Jordan Lewis believes Adem Yze is an ideal appointment for Richmond as its new senior coach to replace Damien Hardwick.

Yze was involved in three premierships with the Hawks as an assistant coach to Alastair Clarkson and Lewis had a close-up look at how impressively he performed in that role.

“He understands the game, and the way the trends that are unfolding within a game, better than anyone that I’ve come across, especially on game day where it’s at its most frantic. He makes really good decisions,” Lewis said on Fox Footy.

“I can remember sitting in the box and going, ‘Yeah, that was well picked up’.”

Lewis also was a member of the panel that interviewed Yze for the Essendon coaching job at the end of the 2022 season.

Brad Scott, ultimately, got the nod for the job, but Yze left a good impression with the panel members.

“He presented with great confidence and that just comes through years in the coaches’ box and overseeing programs,” Lewis said.

“People have made mention that this was his third or fourth time (going for a senior AFL coaching role). From what we witnessed with the presentation at Essendon, that was a culmination of going through the process and refining it and fixing the parts you might have needed to work on.

“He came across with great confidence and great surety that he’s got belief in himself as a coach.

“He’s at the age now where he’s got great experience, great stability off the field with family and work-life balance, and that gives you the opportunity to approach the job with great clarity.

“He’s one of those guys that you’d be happy to call up and have a beer with, if it’s one-out or in a group situation . . .

“That’s the thing that stands out for me, the relationships. And we know how important that is in the modern game with the modern players.

“He’s got great energy, he’s just genuine in everything that he does.

“So pleased for him. He’s been in for a few jobs, but it’s nice to land a big one in Richmond.”