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

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[dermott]

We needed more midfield depth and Newcombe provides that in part. If we can add a bit of inside/ outside pace and skill in the next two national drafts we will be well on our way with the rebuild.
As others have said the MSD is a free hit and gives Newcombe and Callow the opportunity to display their wares in a professional environment.
Let’s sit back and see what they can so without having unrealistic expectations.

 

[matey]

Last couple years sick of watching our players getting hit hard and losing plenty of contests in the physically stakes ..... like in the good days I want to see us hitting the opposition harder and it seems that Newk has this important ingredient in his game. Remember it’s one of the toughest sports on the planet.

From the vid package with some of those marks does not show any hesitation in putting his body on line for the team.

 

[Big Booty]

Based on the highlights, if I am not wrong can only see him using his right? Does anyone know how dual sided is he?

Ideally for a midfielder would like him to be competent on the left as well - but I suppose with someone like Sammy (who is super ambidextrous lol) mentoring this kid, hopefully that would develop/come to the fore in good time

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[dermott]

I must say the thing I like about Newcombe is that “country boy” toughness. He looks as if he would have been at home with Kennedy’s commandos. He brings back memories of Ian Mort, Des Dickson and others of that ilk.

 

[KermitJagger]

I must say the thing I like about Newcombe is that “country boy” toughness. He looks as if he would have been at home with Kennedy’s commandos. He brings back memories of Ian Mort, Des Dickson and others of that ilk.

Someone posted a picture of Lethal before and I get it, this kid is a very similar build. Very big through the legs which is great for a bloke playing his position.

Tough, solid, willing tackler. Keeps his feet too which is the difference between him and Worps at the moment.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I’m digging the Ben Allan comparison. Just needs a perm.

 

[cryptor]

It's time for him to kick ass and chew bubble gum. And he's all out of gum.

 

[Brishawk]

Newcombe is a much more complete footballer. He is hard can get the ball and aggressive. He also has a great defensive mindset. Look at his tackle numbers. Lets see what happens its literally a free hit

We are crying out for his intensity.

 

[Billyc]

Fair enough.
Just thought a full-time mid might be getting more.
Didn't Sonsie collect 27 + 2 goals in his first VFL game as an under 18 a few weeks back?
Just comparing...trying to get some context.

Sonsie will go top 5 in the National Draft. Nobody is suggesting Newcombe is at that level and he doesnt need to be to be an excellent mid-season recruit. But he is having a good impact at VFL level. A much bigger impact that Finn and Downie for example, who struggle to get the ball a dozen times. At worst Newcombe is a younger James Cousins with greater scope for improvement. At best he might be a Jack Steele type if he can translate his game and develop.

Bottom line is this: we have the worst midfield in the competition. Our up and coming midfield stocks in VFL are miles off. This young bloke wins the ball, is powerful and tackles hard. I don't see the negative spin on getting him in a mid season draft. Right now on demonstrated performance, he's our second best chance of being a good long-term midfielder behind Worpel. Yes that speaks to the massive problems on the list, but he's just improved the midfield stocks a bit.

 

[KermitJagger]

Sonsie will go top 5 in the National Draft. Nobody is suggesting Newcombe is at that level and he doesnt need to be to be an excellent mid-season recruit. But he is having a good impact at VFL level. A much bigger impact that Finn and Downie for example, who struggle to get the ball a dozen times. At worst Newcombe is a younger James Cousins with greater scope for improvement. At best he might be a Jack Steele type if he can translate his game and develop.

Bottom line is this: we have the worst midfield in the competition. Our up and coming midfield stocks in VFL are miles off. This young bloke wins the ball, is powerful and tackles hard. I don't see the negative spin on getting him in a mid season draft. Right now on demonstrated performance, he's our second best chance of being a good long-term midfielder behind Worpel. Yes that speaks to the massive problems on the list, but he's just improved the midfield stocks a bit.

Would already rate him above Cousins. Cousins really struggles balancing both sides of his game - he can be a solid attacking player but becomes a traffic cone defensively, or he can play a lockdown role and he loses all offensive output.

Jai appears to do both solidly.

 

[TylerDurden]

Does he get number 25?

 

[Judd2Sewell]

VFL seems to be a low-possession kind of league. Rarely do players get big numbers from what I've seen.

So 23 on average isn't exactly an indictment on the Duke's game.

 

[Stratton24]

Does he get number 25?

44 please and play as many games as Platten

 

[Delecate Des]

I must say the thing I like about Newcombe is that “country boy” toughness. He looks as if he would have been at home with Kennedy’s commandos. He brings back memories of Ian Mort, Des Dickson and others of that ilk.

I endorse this comment!!!

 

[Bardo State]

VFL seems to be a low-possession kind of league. Rarely do players get big numbers from what I've seen.

So 23 on average isn't exactly an indictment on the Duke's game.

He also hasn't been full time centre square. He's played a bit coming off both forward and back flanks, fair bit of time on bench. Across the season I'd guess (maybe way off) that he's attended about 50-65% of centre bounces? The accumulators at VFL level (Freeman, Constable, O'Kearney etc) typically follow the ball contest to contest. Not sure if it reflects on his endurance or just the depth of players rotated through at Box Hill.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Does he get number 25?

Cult hero status awaits. Surely gets 44 and keeps it for his whole career.

 

[Rocket72]

Will hopefully step right in.

Aside from his run and spread, the thing that caught my attention leading up to the draft was the size and power he has.

In one pic I saw he was standing next to Howe, and was bigger in the upper body than the closest thing we have had to a midfield enforcer since Hodge and Lewis left.

We have been crying out for grunt and run, not to mention goal kicking from beyond 50 from our mids.

Doesn't have to be a world beater, just needs to do what he's already shown at the highest level. Anything more than that would be a bonus.

I just hope they don't do what they did to Worps, get him to shed kgs and strength.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

I just hope they don't do what they did to Worps, get him to shed kgs and strength.

What are you talking about. Worpel is the heaviest he has ever been.

Straight from his mouth here

 

[MrPremiership]

Does he get number 25?

44.

Give 25 to Callow

 

[The Kipster]

You beauty Newk, welcome to the family club.

 

[cryptor]

What are you talking about. Worpel is the heaviest he has ever been.

Straight from his mouth here

Yep. Has less body fat and more muscle now. Muscle is more dense than fat so he'll look slimmer but weigh more - and be stronger.

 

[westhawk]

Well done Hawks And welcome to the club Jai. So good that we didn’t wait till the second pick to grab him. Loving the comparisons of a cross between Ben Allen and Sewell. Just looks like a tough uncompromising midfielder and looks good overhead as well. Can’t wait to see him debut next week against the Swines.

 

[Teamwork Talks]

44.

Give 25 to Callow

Callow had 25 playing for Tasmania

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

I want him to stay in the 72