The winner of the 2022 AFL Coaches Association Best Young Player Award is Jai Newcombe of the Hawthorn Football Club.
Newcombe, pick 2 of the 2021 AFL mid-season draft, has been crowned Best Young Player by the coaches following a remarkable rise from anonymity to an AFL powerhouse in his 29 AFL matches.
The Hawthorn youngster, who received his NAB Rising Star nomination in Round 5, has fast risen into one of his side's most prominent midfielders. Possessing a powerful and penetrating kick, Newcombe ranks 20th in the league for metres gained to go with his fearless attack on the contest and underrated outside game.
Newcombe polled 44 votes over the last two seasons finishing ten votes ahead of Sydney Swan’s Errol Gulden who ended with 34 votes. Geelong young defender Sam De Koning finished in third place.
Sam Mitchell praised the efforts of his young star in receiving this recognition from the coaches.
“This award is terrific recognition for what has been an outstanding first full season for Jai.”
“Across 22 games this year, he has been among our most consistent and reliable performers – which is extremely rare for someone who has played just 29 games,” said Mitchell.
“For someone 21-years-old, Jai’s ability to get the best out of himself is amazing. He is an incredibly driven and self-motivated player and someone I thoroughly enjoy coaching.”
AFL Coaches Association CEO Alistair Nicholson congratulated Newcombe on his first two seasons in the AFL which has saw him awarded the 2022 AFL Coaches Association Best Young Player.
“What an impressive and quick rise for young Jai. He should be proud to have received 44 votes from the coaches since being taken in the 2021 mid-season draft. We look forward to watching his future successes.” said Nicholson.
The AFL Coaches Association Best Young Player Award is presented in recognition of the player based on performances in his first two seasons of AFL Football and is determined by the weekly votes of the AFL coaches.
Previous winners: aflcoaches.com.au/awards/best-young-player-of-the-year
