Player Watch Welcome to Hawthorn : Jai “Duke” Newcombe - 2022 AFLCA Best Young Player, extends to 2026!

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[theiaofseed]

No surprise but Jia wins Best first year player at Boxhill.

 

[WWSD]

A big pre-season to work on his endurance and fitness levels and a breakout season in 2022 is looking likely.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[Jables]

So did Hodge and Burgers.

I remember Buddy in 09' put on about a kilo with good skin folds and everyone in the league was flipping their s**t calling him fat. Thus begun heavy tackling, run around the entire field Buddy.

Really, talent is talent. As long as they are fit who cares, I certainly didn't watching Dew. For everyone attributing increased muscle mass to their playing ability, like you say there's a guy slimming down and reviving their career.

 

[almuz]

Libba is another example of an inside mid who isn't massive - as long as he gets KM's in the legs and can run at games it doesn't matter if he's Quadzilla like Wines or not.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[MrPremiership]

glad we just bit the bullet and took him at 2 in MSD

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Is Duke eligible for the rising star?

Get on board if he is.

 

[lethalselbow]

Is Duke eligible for the rising star?

Get on board if he is.

Thanks for the heads up. Like the way you think.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Cyril Rioli couldn't even win the Rising star, waste of time better on a Hawthorn player.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Is Duke eligible for the rising star?

Get on board if he is.

Reckon he can get thru a whole season at the top level?

 

[rei154]

Reckon he can get thru a whole season at the top level?

If he is fit I can't see him being left out of the side tbh.
Won't get the respect outside of our club, but I think the kid is an exceptional talent!

It feels like this preseason they've spent a fair bit of time working with him moving into the front half of the ground and spending more time inside 50- as someone raised earlier/in another thread if he can develop into a bollocking inside mid who can rest forward he's going to be one of the most useful first/second year players this season.

The footage from the intra really inspired me tbh- him bursting down the wing a couple times to deliver inside 50 to a forwards advantage, and him taking a great mark whilst copping a smack across the nose was tremendous.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Reckon he can get thru a whole season at the top level?

He’s looking pretty good at this moment, and has had a full preseason from memory.

 

[chopflop]

Kid plays 22 games. Mitchell has consistently trotted out the 'hard and tough' line this preseason - that should tell you all you need to know.

 

[threesixpio]

Newcombe will hospitalise all the other RS candidates

 

[rei154]

Newcombe will hospitalise all the other RS candidates

Considering cancelling plans to get down to watch him and JHF beat the crap out of eachother in the flesh.

 

[CHUBBSS]

Reckon he can get thru a whole season at the top level?

The story from last year was he was playing two local games of footy in one day, Amos into seniors I think, I’d say that’s a good indicator he will be fit enough after an afl pre season, give him 3 pre seasons and he will be elite and even if his not this year he just never quits.

 

[matey]

One of my favourite pics of the kid the other day. Beast!

 

[HomerJayS]

Is Duke eligible for the rising star?

Yes

Edit: No. He has to be under 20 at 1st Jan. He was 20 last year.

Edit 2: Yes, under 21

 

[mac11]

Yes

Edit: No. He has to be under 20 at 1st Jan. He was 20 last year.

Think it might be under 21, not 20…

Rising Star History - AFL.com.au

Australian Football League. All the latest AFL news, video, results and information

www.afl.com.au

 

[rei154]

Yes

Edit: No. He has to be under 20 at 1st Jan. He was 20 last year.

Unless they've changed the rules its 21?

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Yes

Edit: No. He has to be under 20 at 1st Jan. He was 20 last year.

Under 21 at jan1st

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Kid plays 22 games. Mitchell has consistently trotted out the 'hard and tough' line this preseason - that should tell you all you need to know.

I agree he is best 22 when fit. He did tire last season and I suspect will again during the year.

 

[HomerJayS]

Yes. It’s under 21 at 1st Jan. He’s eligible in 2022.

 

[CliffMcTainshaw]

Is Duke eligible for the rising star?

Get on board if he is.

Good to see he has converted you since last year SYL.