Jai Newcombe Biography

Hawthorn will have co-captains in 2026, with Jai Newcombe joining James Sicily as co-skipper of the Hawks.

"I am incredibly humbled and privileged to be appointed as co-captain of Hawthorn alongside James, who has been a great mentor to me since I joined the club," Newcombe said.

"Being a Hawks supporter my whole life, it has always been a dream of mine to lead the club, and I am committed to getting the best out of myself and my teammates as we continue to hunt the club's next premiership."

Jai Newcombe will always carry a chip on his shoulder. A self-described "late bloomer", Newcombe was overlooked by every AFL club before the Hawks gave the then 19-year-old Box Hill midfielder a shot via the 2021 mid-season rookie draft.

"It gives you a bit of a point to prove with certain things and a small, little motivator that will always be there," Newcombe said.

"It helps with my motivation and trying to get the most out of myself."

Jai Newcombe signs a monster six-year contract extension to remain at Hawthorn until the end of 2032.

"The idea was proposed for a longer-term option and skipping all that comes with free agency. When the club was open with that it was a pretty good feeling to be honest, even before any details had been worked out, to know that they were as keen to have me around as I was to be there for that long. That was a special feeling," Newcombe said.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has spent the past week in New Zealand with a group of assistant coaches and star players ahead of the start of pre-season.

Free agent signing Josh Battle headed across the Tasman with the club's past two Peter Crimmins Medallists – Jai Newcombe and Will Day – along with Kade Simpson and David Mackay.

The group spent time inside the two most successful organisations in Super Rugby history, visiting the Crusaders in Christchurch and the Blues in Auckland.

They also met with coaches and officials at NRL franchise New Zealand Warriors while on the North Island.

New Zealand Cricket and Rowing New Zealand were also stops on the itinerary, with the Hawks searching for incremental gains after returning to September this year for the first time since 2018.

After two second-placed finishes, Jai Newcombe wins his first Peter Crimmins Medal as Hawthorn's best and fairest for 2024.

James Sicily claims his maiden Peter Crimmins Medal as the club's best and fairest for the 2022 season.

Sicily finished on 123 votes, ahead of Newcombe (115) and Dylan Moore (113).

Nick Daicos is named the NAB AFL Rising Star winner for the 2022 season.

Daicos claimed 60 votes, ahead of second-placed Sam De Koning (48), and third-placed Jai Newcombe (35).

Jai Newcombe is the 2022 round five NAB AFL Rising Star nominee after tallying a career-high 31 possessions, taking seven marks, and laying three tackles against Geelong.

"We've seen different aspects of his game where he's had really key moments [such as] his ability to run out a game and ability to stand up in key moments. Today was probably where he put it all together," Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said of Newcombe.

Jai Newcombe makes his AFL debut for Hawthorn at the SCG with 13 disposals (5 kicks and 8 handballs), a mark and 14 tackles in a 38-point win over Sydney.

Hawthorn mid-season draftee Jai Newcombe will make his AFL debut this week against Sydney.

"We've seen a lot of Jai at Box Hill, and there's been plenty to like," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"Before this weekend we weren't able to promote him into our senior side, but he's been in the sort of form that had he been on our list, he probably would have played earlier."

Intrigue has grown around NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft prospect Jai Newcombe after he nominated to be taken under 'other terms'.

Players nominating for the mid-season intake are able to list themselves for six-month or 18-month terms or both. Or they can nominate to be taken by an AFL club only under 'other terms' accepted by the club.

Hawthorn select Jai Newcombe with pick No.2 in the 2021 Mid-Season Draft.