Poowong’s Jai Newcombe has realised a childhood dream, being selected by Hawthorn in the mid-season draft as pick two on Wednesday night.
The 19-year-old played his junior football at Hallora Junior Football Club, before moving to the Poowong Football Netball Club where his father Clint played 300 games.
He continued to develop his trademark toughness that has shone through in recent times. However, there were lessons learned along the way for Newcombe, who missed out on Gippsland Power selection in his junior years, but that only built up his resilience.
2019 was a big year for the ever-improving Newcombe, named captain of the Ellinbank and District League’s under 18 interleague side, under 18 player of the tournament, 2019 Arthur Pollard Award winner for most senior votes for an under 18 player, a third place finish in the Poowong senior best and fairest award and named the most consistent senior player.
Finally, as a top age player, Newcombe cracked the Gippsland Power side in 2020, but COVID-19 derailed his plans.
He returned to play cricket at Hallora last season, scoring an impressive 102 during the COVID Cup and was a part of the side that took home the division one WDCA premiership in March.
After his cricket success, a new adventure awaited the midfielder on the footy field. After impressing in a practice match, he returned to try out for the VFL side at the Box Hill Hawks, making the final list under the tutelage of former Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell.
It was the perfect marriage and with a debut in round one he didn’t look back.
As an inside midfielder, putting his head over the ball is something those at Box Hill are now very much accustomed to and so far in his debut year at VFL level, Newcombe has been a mainstay.
He has averaged 23 disposals and seven tackles in six matches, all while juggling work as a second-year apprentice with Allchin Builders in Warragul and the travel to training.
Tuesday and Thursday meant Newcombe would be up early before finishing on site and travelling to training, returning home after 9pm.
It’s all paid off for the avid Hawthorn supporter.
Poowong president Ted Attenborough said the whole town was excited when they heard his name read out.
“I think it’s really exciting for any small country club and town to see one of their own succeed. He hasn’t been gifted anything, he’s had to overcome a lot and travel down a road many find too difficult.
“It’s Jai’s dedication to fitness and footy, but he’s always had that football nous about him. It’s just great for Jai and his family, it’s a terrific story,” he said.
Attenborough said Newcombe’s tough approach was on show early.
“He was playing seniors when he was still eligible for the under 18s, that helped him get used to playing against men. He wasn’t just filling a gap either, he was one of Poowong’s best players as a 17-and 18-year-old,” he said.
Under Sam Mitchell, Mr Attenborough said he thinks he has found the perfect person to help guide him through.
“He’s probably identified Jai as someone who can take the same path as him. I bet Jai is pinching himself,” he said.
He’ll get to ply his trade and learn alongside gun Hawthorn midfielders Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara as he aims for an AFL debut.