Reigning Peter Crimmins Medallist Jai Newcombe has fronted the media on day one of the 2025 pre-season.
Newcombe was among the 1st to 4th year players who were due back at Bunjil Bagora, Waverley Park on Monday morning, as the Hawks begin their build towards next year's season opener.
We've summarised the key points of his media conference below:
ON MOOD OF THE GROUP
"There's a lot of excitement, like there always is at this time of the year. We've got new faces that have just been drafted, as well as brought into the club. So we're looking to develop and enhance those connections, build quality friendships with those people, get to know each other and hopefully play some quality football in the coming season.
ON IMPROVING UPON LAST YEAR'S PERFORMANCE
"When you get a taste of finals like that and you're playing well, you never want it to end. Obviously it was disappointing to lose that game, but we've had a taste of it now, and there's some guys who are probably a bit sour and hungry and keen to get back out there and hopefully get to that point of the season and see what we can do and the learnings from that game."
ON NEW RECRUITS (TOM BARRASS & JOSH BATTLE)
"Quality people, and quality players as well. I've spent some time with Josh already and I can feel they are going to fit in seamlessly, which is great. They had no issues today, boys are already getting around them, making them feel welcome. So we're very excited to have them here."
ON HIS TRAINING CAMP IN UNITED STATES
"It was a great experience for all of us to get over there and spend some time together and basically follow an NFL program for a few weeks. Speed and power are a big part of their game, and I know personally for myself, it's also a big part of what I need in the midfield. So minor things here and there, minor drills to try to implement to get the best out of myself and get the best out of each other. So it was a great trip."
ON RECENT VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND
"It was great for them to give us the access that they did and speak to a lot of their coaches and high performance people and understand their mindset and what helped them have the success that they did last year, winning the Super Rugby grand final. So there's small things that I will take away to keep to myself and won't tell the whole world, but I absolutely loved the experience and the time that they gave us was outstanding."
ON PROGRESS OF WILL DAY & JAMES SICILY
"Daysy obviously ran around and did the time trial before, and Sis is tracking nicely and doing the things he needs to do to give him the chance to be back and firing and back at the start of the season."
ON SAM BUTLER RETURNING FROM SERIOUS INJURY
"It's outstanding for Butsy, he's a livewire and it's nice to see him with his energy back and fully firing like he was today. He's had a tough run, at least for the first couple of months when he initially broke his leg. So to see him tracking the way that he is is outstanding, and it's a credit to him and a credit to the medical team for getting him in this position, and hopefully it continues as smooth sailing from here on."
