Everything you need to know: Jai Newcombe
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With Pick #2 in the 2021 Mid-Season Draft, Hawthorn selected Box Hill’s gun contested midfielder Jai Newcombe.
Plenty of intrigue surrounded this selection, with some suggesting we’d pick Gold Coast-bound ruckman Ned Moyle and Newcombe nominating ‘unusual’ terms .
Despite being attacked from all angles - from the Swans to the bristling media - the Hawks had a plan, stuck to it, and landed their man.
Here’s absolutely everything you need to know about our new contested bull.
Vital statistics
Age: 20
From: Poowong, Victoria
Height: 186cm
Weight: 85kg
Poowong Seniors at 16:
Choosing footy over cricket:
2020 Draft Outsider:
Heading to Box Hill:
Box Hill - Reviews:
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
Round 6:
Newcombe on Sammy Mitchell:
“Sam’s been massive for me.
“Being a Hawks fan growing up I was initially a little star struck. I’d watched him play for so long, so to be able to learn from him, lean on him and have his coaching has been so big for me.
“The support from Sam, the coaches, my teammates and everyone else at the Club has been amazing. It’s put me in this position.
“Obviously everyone dreams of playing at the elite level as a young kid, so be inching closer really drives me to keep working hard and improving.”
Mid Season Draft hijinks:
Sydney hypocrisy:
Recruiting boss Mark McKenzie reckons he goes alright:
“He’s had a great impact, the first six weeks of the season. The thing that stands out is his physicality. He’s tough … He’s got a bit of nastiness about him, which is good when he crosses that white line. But for such a young lad to have that balance of offence and defence … Jai has that great ability to balance that out with his tackling and his defensive work as well as inside midfielder. He’s a great kick of the footy, as well as with his hands. He covers the ground pretty well, and the upside we see in him is strong for the future.”
Finally with pick #2…
Not convinced. Over hyped. Looks fat. Does not look all that quick. Cannot tell but does he play on both sides? Does not look like it. Overlooked by Gippsland Power? Wait, what? Overlooked in the draft. Certainly played his cards well. I fear the Hawks have been had with this one. Want to be wrong but there is a huge gap between VFL and AFL.