There's a lot of talk about whether Essendon captain Zach Merrett is the missing piece in Hawthorn's premiership push.
Jai Newcombe says, 'Think again.'
The mid-season success story produced another Dustin Martin-like finals performance to establish himself as the new "Mr September".
In the modern era, it was Hawks icon Luke Hodge who was dubbed the September specialist as the club claimed four premierships in eight years.
Shortly after following Hawthorn's dynasty, it was Martin and the Tigers who produced one of their own.
Hodge was among a unique group of multiple Norm Smith recipients. Martin topped all-comers with three.
But the duo would always rise to the occasion, performing at their best when their team needed it most.
Newcombe has proven that, albeit in a shorter time frame.
The Poowong product is built for the bash-and-crash style of football that finals demand. Heavily contested and an unwavering will to survive and win.
In all four of his finals, spread across the past 12 months, Newcombe has been recorded as the highest-rated player in each contest, according to WheeloRatings, at an average of 21.2.
He dominated last year's elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs, and backed it up the following week against Port Adelaide, despite the heartbreaking three-point loss.
The coaches also rewarded him with 15 votes across the two games, and finished fourth in the Gary Ayres Medal behind Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft and Isaac Heeney, albeit they played more games.
Newcombe continued his incredible form with a best-afield outing in the GWS victory, and was intoxicating against the Crows.
Midfield
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
The 24-year-old received eight votes against the Giants to sit equal-third, and more is expected to come.
For comparison, Martin averaged 19.8 player rating points across 13 finals games between 2017 and 2022.
Hodge had a mean of 13.8 over 16 games from 2012 to 2019.
But what makes Newcombe's story all the more special is his journey to the AFL.
Overlooked by Coates Talent League club Gippsland Power from the ages of 16 to 18, Newcombe found his way to Box Hill for the 2020 season, which was marred by COVID-19, ultimately wiping out the VFL season.
He returned to the Hawks' reserves unit in November that year, and followed up the club's faith in the opening half of the 2021 season, leading to his mid-season selection.
He debuted under Alastair Clarkson nine days after being selected by Hawthorn, recording 14 tackles and cementing a role in the senior side.
Since, he has played 22 games or more in every season and was last year's Peter Crimmins medallist.
Newcombe played his 100th game against the Giants last week, but you think he's got another achievement on his mind.
