Player Watch Welcome to Hawthorn : Jai “Duke” Newcombe - 2024 Peter Crimmins medalist

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[H00t]

Was that his first game getting tagged? Takes a while to learn how to break one. We really need Day back though, so if he does get tagged, Day can still run wild.

Was tagged against the saints back in 2022.

Can’t recall another tag since then off the top of my head though.

 

[kazzooka]

Was tagged against the saints back in 2022.

Can’t recall another tag since then off the top of my head though.

Did really well in that saints game pushing forward and kicking goals.

Also while he wasn't at his peak against Essendon he still had 21 disposals and 300 meters gained. Compared to Nick Daicos when tagged gets 5 disposals (1 from kick-out 2 from free kicks). Essentially 1 handball from a centre bounce when Finn wasn't on him and 1 mark and shank kick when he went forward.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

Any of our track watchers have any inside info? Is he completing full training? He looks hampered

 

[TheFourPillars]

Any of our track watchers have any inside info? Is he completing full training? He looks hampered

He is fine just having a lot more attention.

 

[cryptor]

Mids like him are often described as “bulls” to the point it’s lost meaning.

But the way he was playing in the 4th quarter against the Pies was as bull-like as it gets.

There was one bit of play where there was a loose ball on the ground toward the boundary with lots of players around. He pretty much jumped on it with his hands and swung his legs around toward the boundary so he could then rip it off the ground and charge back in board.

Not to mention seeing red and getting stuck into anyone who dared get within reaching distance of him.

Not sure what did it but the beast was awoken in him in the second half. I could hear the DOOM music.

 

[Flamin Joe]

Just got hold of some exclusive gopro footage of Duke playing Collingwood.

 

[Restricted Free Agent]

I genuinely still can't believe this guy is only 22

 

[Flamin Joe]

I genuinely still can't believe this guy is only 22

Not to mention we basically got him for peanuts (mid-season rookie draft). Absolute steal.

 

[BobHawk]

I genuinely still can't believe this guy is only 22

Can be one of the best mids in the comp and I think Sam Mitchell mentioned after the game, he lifts the entire team when he gets going like he did on Sunday. Things begin to happen and everyone joins in.

 

[CHUBBSS]

Can be one of the best mids in the comp and I think Sam Mitchell mentioned after the game, he lifts the entire team when he gets going like he did on Sunday. Things begin to happen and everyone joins in.

Just put pictures of Tom Mitchell in his locker and we are set.

Loved watching him get angry though, really set the tone

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Hopefully his second half kick starts his season. We are going to need him in top form against that GCS midfield.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Could he be THE Alpha mid we've been sorely missing since the heady days of Hodge, Lewis, Burgoyne!!!??

 

[I got the outside word]

Is Duke the best handball in the league? Gotta be close to it.

 

[Wingnut19]

Almost a disappointing game now when he's not in the best 3 on the ground. Absolute superstar.

 

[KermitJagger]

Is Duke the best handball in the league? Gotta be close to it.

I think legit handball he has a case. If we're including "handballs" there are a few Dogs as competition.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Is Duke the best handball in the league? Gotta be close to it.

Up there, Lachie Neale is one that springs to mind

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[Dewyyyyy]

This guy is one who doesn’t get enough plaudits.

He is going to be a star, he’s already very good.

I wanna see him use his aerial capacity forward and his ability to read the ball of hands to kick more goals, once he does that on top of overall consistency he will officially become elite.

 

[Threadkilla]

I know he has a couple of years on him, but was thinking about Jai when he was going at Reid yesterday. Imagine if he was a top 10 draft pick. The media would be all over him as a star of the comp and as an elite beast midfielder. He barely gets a mention. I guess I’d prefer it that way. Reminds me of what it was like a decade ago when we were winning flags and half of the AA team were Cat players.

 

[toomanysquibs]

This guy is one who doesn’t get enough plaudits.

Set the tone when he rolled out of that first clearance, and didn't really let up all game. I love him, he's a monster when he gets going. So damaging.

I also loved Harley Reid trying to run through him in the last. I guess Reid had to try to see where he's really at, but Newk's answer had an exclamation mark attached.

 

[KermitJagger]

I know he has a couple of years on him, but was thinking about Jai when he was going at Reid yesterday. Imagine if he was a top 10 draft pick. The media would be all over him as a star of the comp and as an elite beast midfielder. He barely gets a mention. I guess I’d prefer it that way. Reminds me of what it was like a decade ago when we were winning flags and half of the AA team were Cat players.

I've been saying this for years.

Has always been seen as a guy who is good but doesn't have much improvement, nothing in that sort of outlook on Newc besides draft pick bias imo.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Back into the top 20 for coaches votes. Finished 18th last season.

Would argue his season has become underrated if anything!

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[TheFourPillars]

Was a big goal in the context of the game. Provided the impetus for the rest of the qtr

 

[H00t]

A big last quarter for him especially after being quite for the last 7 before that.

Will hopefully kick him into gear for the rest of the year. We play so much better when he’s playing well