AFL games: 22
Disposals per game: 22.5
Meters gained: 435.9
Ground ball gets: 6.6
Tackles: 4.6

Season summary:

Newcombe announced himself as among the league’s most valuable midfielders in season 2022, in what was just his second year.

The 21-year-old showed consistency beyond his years, playing every single game and averaging 22.5 disposals per outing.

After being picked up in the mid-season draft last year, Newcombe’s first full season also saw him collecting a Rising Star nod.

Newcombe’s desire to win the ball at the contest, coupled with his strong composure and decision-making skills has him positioned to be a vital piece of the Hawthorn midfield for many years to come.

Best AFL game:

Newcombe saved his best game for Hawthorn’s blockbuster Easter Monday clash with Geelong at the MCG. In a game where he earned a Rising Star nomination, Newcombe amassed a career-high 31 disposals, including six inside 50s, along with seven marks.

How the coaches saw him:

“Jai is a really self-driven athlete so it’s no surprise that he improved so much because he put so much in. He produced a year that he should really be proud of. He comes in every week and is one of the first of the guys to do his review. He really actions areas that he feels he needs to work on, so that is a great strength of his. But I know he won’t be satisfied, he’ll want to get better, and he’ll know there is no finish line with that. The drive burns deep within him, he has a constant want to improve and get better.” – Robert Harvey