Young gun Jai Newcombe has led a trio of Hawthorn vote-getters in Round 6 in the AFLCA's Champion Player of the Year Award.
The 21-year-old midfield bull led from the front in the heart-breaking two-point loss to GWS Giants to claim seven votes, as he amassed an equal career-high 31 disposals, 15 of which were contested, going at 81.6% efficiency.
Newcombe's influence was extreme in the engine room, winning 10 clearances to go with six marks and five tackles, while his damage also extended deep into Hawthorn’s front half, creating 10 score involvements as well as a brilliant individual third-quarter goal.
James Worpel was the second Hawk to catch the attention of both coaches on the day, collecting two votes after his monster 35-possession game, that included eight clearances, seven tackles and six score involvements.
“I’m proud of the boys for putting a four-quarter effort in, but unfortunately it didn’t go our way.”
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) April 16, 2023
More from Worps. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/U3CTk6UCMG
Ned Reeves rounded out the Hawthorn representatives on the card, claiming one vote following his strong showing in the ruck, winning 32 hitouts, including 14 hitouts to advantage.
The 24-year-old also proved his worth around the ground, taking four valuable contested marks and racking up 10 touches.
ROUND 5 AFLCA CHAMPION PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTES - GWS GIANTS v HAWTHORN
9 Sam Taylor (GWS)
7 Toby Greene (GWS)
7 Jai Newcombe (HAW)
3 Jack Buckley (GWS)
2 James Worpel (HAW)
1 Ned Reeves (HAW)
1 Stephen Coniglio (GWS)