Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has praised mid-season arrival Jai Newcombe’s seamless transition to AFL, while dismissing as “garbage” reports that Tom Mitchell could be traded.
The Hawks snapped a five-game losing streak on Friday night, recording a 38-point upset win over Sydney at the SCG.
Newcombe made an instant impact with 14 tackles, more than any other debutant in history. It capped a whirlwind week for the 20-year-old, who was playing for the club’s VFL outfit Box Hill prior to being picked up in the mid-season draft.
Clarkson was suitably impressed with the hard-nosed midfielder.
“He had more tackles than possessions, that was the intensity we needed to play with,” he said.
“He is just such a grounded kid. He is a country lad. He loves his footy, loves his teammates, and we just thought he was ready.
“We’re really pleased he made his debut in this game… and performed so well.
“It just took a little bit of pressure off the other midfielders for us in (Jaeger) O’Meara and (Tom) Mitchell, who have carried the load for some time for our footy club.”
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Newcombe thanked VFL coach Sam Mitchell for helping ready him for the rigours of AFL.
“I didn’t really see myself in this position. I am very happy and lucky,” Newcombe told Seven.
Former Swan Tom Mitchell also starred on Friday night, winning a game-high 34 possessions (16 contested).
It was Mitchell’s first match since Fox Sports claimed he was open to a trade at season’s end.
“It’s just pure speculation that comes up this time of year with most players… one per cent of it is true,” Clarkson said.
“The rest of it is garbage. I’m taking it as the 99 per cent garbage.”
Clarkson expects late omission Ned Reeves (ankle) to be available for the Hawks’ next clash with Essendon, although he will struggle to dislodge on-song replacement Jonathon Ceglar from the side.
Clarkson is upbeat Mitchell Lewis will also be available after a mishap in a sparring session meant he failed to make the trip to Sydney.
“Boxing is part of our program every week,” Clarkson said.
“That was just an unfortunate incident.
“Mitch zigged when he should have zagged, just got a knock.”
Cat
Roar Guru
I can’t see it. List may have more pieces for the future on it in Two years but it won’t be better. Be a bunch of kids with little to no game experience which will take several years to get. There’s also no guarantee whomever is drafted will develop.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
Older players will be replaced by youth
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
Your wrong cat.2 years they will near the 8.
Cat
Roar Guru
Hawthorns youth, such as it is, has a long way to proving they will be more than average. And plenty of older players who have no replacements on the list yet. Gonna be 3-4 years before looking at bottom of the 8. I suspect Clarkson will be long gone by then.
Alchemist
Roar Rookie
Going to help not having to play gunston back either now that we seem to have sured up the defence.
dargerovitch
Roar Rookie
Not only Sicily to return , also Gunston. A key forward and a key defender back should help. Both of 'em can play in attack and defence too, which is handy.
User
Roar Rookie
I agree with Leigh Matthews that there is a huge media cheer squad for clarko, he's been a average coach since his elite cattle retired but pulls performance like Rd 23 against wce in 2019 and vs Syd Friday and the genius term is thrown like confetti. Good coach but definitely had the cattle to be that.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Tom Mitchell is a known product on good money at a good club in a rebuild. He wont be up for restricted free agency until 2024. So I am interested to find out what is a club going to have to offer the Hawks to release him before cash alone is going to cut it? In 2024 he will be hitting 31 years of age. 2 reasonable first round draft picks would be a minimum & I don't think any club is going to take that chance on a 31 yo. Just remember he broke his leg & was out for the whole of the 2019 season. That would be a disaster if you have given up that much to score him.
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
Agreed, going to be an absolute star of the comp and pleasure to watch for years to come, and that too coming from a cats fan! haha.. be interesting to see what happens once Sicily slots back into that defence, it's already looking pretty solid.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
How could you say only papering over a very poor list? Ok they have young players learning their trade.2yrs maybe.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
A big win for the Hawks,And to all of the media who says Mitchell is up for trade,Typical rubbish reporting week in week out.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Jiath is a superstar in the making. Watching him at the scg last night, I was so impressed by his athleticism. He seems to glide across the oval effortlessly. He overplayed his hand on a couple of occasions but that will be sorted out with experience.
Cat
Roar Guru
Coach is only papering over a very poor list. Hawthorn won’t be down forever but it won’t be a one or two year turn around either.
Boo
Guest
Last night's game reminds of why it is folly to write Hawthorn off for an extended stint in the bottom half of the ladder .Has there ever been a better coach than Clarkson ? All the other coaches on four or more flags as coach were involved in the Vfl without the restraint of the salary cap or draft with the exception of Lethal Leigh whose 1990 flag was the first year of the AFL .
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Newcombe looks like a he has a bit of mongrel about him great pickup Hawks! Mid season draft success story!
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
Very impressive performance from Clarko and the Hawks last night, saw some definite "green shoots" in that one which should give their fans some renewed hope. Was also nice to see the Swans put back in their place, still not over that atrocity from earlier in the season lol :angry: