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

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[KermitJagger]

Obviously it's only one game, but Duke's tackling appears to be on another level. It may be that he and Shiels will have comparable numbers, but Shiels never tackled and buried people/drove them into the ground like the Duke was doing. Those huge pipes of the and the thicc thighs help. He's like a lion bringing down his prey.

TBH I'm expecting that he will give away a few free kicks with his tackles, but if he goes that hard every game then it will be worth it.

Shiels did/does tackle like that though? Short memory me thinks.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Shiels did/does tackle like that though? Short memory me thinks.

Shiels is a great tackler. But he doesn't have the power that Jai seems to have.

 

[lyger]

Obviously it's only one game, but Duke's tackling appears to be on another level. It may be that he and Shiels will have comparable numbers, but Shiels never tackled and buried people/drove them into the ground like the Duke was doing. Those huge pipes of the and the thicc thighs help. He's like a lion bringing down his prey.

TBH I'm expecting that he will give away a few free kicks with his tackles, but if he goes that hard every game then it will be worth it.

Yeah I was really impressed by his strength and technique to bring players to ground, and also scrapping for the ball on the ground without diving on the ball.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[Brishawk]

Shiels is a great tackler. But he doesn't have the power that Jai seems to have.

Jai has serious power! Just manhandled the young swans players.

 

[VandoHawk]

Seems like the type of player that really improves those around him. Aside from the incredible defensive display it was things like busting a gut to shepherd for teammates after disposing the ball or taking the heat on himself before cleanly disposing to a teammate. Even showed some good snippets of offensive play.

Add some class around him and watch him thrive.

 

[Billyc]

Obviously it's only one game, but Duke's tackling appears to be on another level. It may be that he and Shiels will have comparable numbers, but Shiels never tackled and buried people/drove them into the ground like the Duke was doing. Those huge pipes of the and the thicc thighs help. He's like a lion bringing down his prey.

TBH I'm expecting that he will give away a few free kicks with his tackles, but if he goes that hard every game then it will be worth it.

I loved that at one stage he had 12 attempted tackles for 11 effective tackles. He sticks them

 

[Wesley2]

Footage of Clarko Thursday morning:

 

[Smooth Banana]

Guys, perhaps just chill on the wines comparison.

Just let it slide mate. We have been starving the last few years. Jai has come along and stolen our hearts. You will see many many comparisons in the coming weeks /months get used to it

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[wahawk]

Says he struggled with his tackling tonight and will hopefully improve on it.

 

[wahawk]

Can you post anything that it says.
I ain’t subscribing to a gossip magazine

 

[Brant]

Never said anything about keeping GW and as for coach decision has already been made some time ago by himself to move on.

That's a few times you've posted that Clarko has decided to move on (or along those lines).

Please clarify whether this is mail/inside info or your opinion/guess?

 

[SA HAWK]

We need a petition to keep Duke in the no 44.

 

[SA HAWK]

Never said anything about keeping GW and as for coach decision has already been made some time ago by himself to move on.

Is that you Caro?

 

[MrPremiership]

Jai and JOM currently housemates.

Jai is going to learn a lot from Jaeger and it already looks like they’ve built a bit of a bond.

just the ideal teammate to live with. Will show him what he needs to do to prepare and be a footballer. From where he's come from to now, can't wait to see what he's like after 50 games and a few years in an elite system

 

[Bremner20]

We need a petition to keep Duke in the no 44.

I wanted him to keep his # 72 from BHH . Notice they didn’t even have time to print his number on the jumper it was an iron on .

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Just loved that he pushed Luke Parker around in the centre square. Parker is a 10 year AFL veteran and a nugget and Jai in his first game was able to exert physical influence. A couple of pre seasons and he is going to be an absolute beauty. Couple of brilliant quick
.handballs he gave too.

 

[Bugs1977]

Looks like Angelo Lekkas a bit (who was underrated) but could be anything I reckon

Loved Lekkas and the way he went about it

 

[MJA33]

Just loved that he pushed Luke Parker around in the centre square. Parker is a 10 year AFL veteran and a nugget and Jai in his first game was able to exert physical influence. A couple of pre seasons and he is going to be an absolute beauty. Couple of brilliant quick
.handballs he gave too.

This is what was really impressive for me. Obviously the tackling and hardness was great, but I really liked how clean he was, didn’t fumble and would gather and handball in a flash. That’s exactly what we need to build around with outside class.

 

[matey]

His tackling doesn’t believe in second efforts .... believes in third, fourth .......

 

[theiaofseed]

That is such a great picture, kid is a beast.

 

[cryptor]

View attachment 1153738

That is such a great picture, kid is a beast.

It is. Though given the context you'd think they'd have a photo of him laying one of the tackles lol

 

[wahawk]

It is. Though given the context you'd think they'd have a photo of him laying one of the tackles lol

I thought that too, but I imagine it’s pretty hard to get a pic of the tackler

 

[cryptor]

I thought that too, but I imagine it’s pretty hard to get a pic of the tackler

Typically, yes. But he did give them 14 different opportunities