Hawthorn star Jai Newcombe was subbed off the MCG out of caution with more big games ahead

The notion of having bigger fish to fry, not an injury, was behind a ploy from Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell to sub a star on Thursday night.

Travel and the importance of Hawthorn’s upcoming clash with Adelaide was behind coach Sam Mitchell removing star Jai Newcombe from Thursday night’s game.

Newcombe was forced to pass a fitness test on Wednesday and was substituted out of Hawthorn’s 24-point win over Carlton at the MCG.

But Mitchell said Newcombe’s calf was completely fine and was taken out of the match with one eye on the Crows next week.

Hawthorn and Adelaide played a thriller in Launceston earlier this year and only percentage separates them in third and fourth.

“(Newcombe) had a bit of a tight calf, we had a five-day break, he did a fitness test before the captain’s run yesterday and passed that so he was no worries,” Mitchell said.

“We’ve got travel, we go over to Adelaide on Friday night next week, it’s obviously going to be a massive game for us and them as well.

“That’s the game we want our players fresh and ready, and if we’ve got the chance to take Jai out and get some game time into others, him a freshen up, we thought that was a win.

Jai Newcombe of the Hawks was subbed from the match (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“He could’ve kept playing, I actually asked him, got on the phone with him and said, ‘How are you feeling mate?’ And he goes, ‘Yeah that might not be a bad idea’.

“He will certainly play next week, he’ll be fine.”

The decision to sub Newcombe was softened by the return of Will Day.

Day had 15 disposals in limited game time, showing glimpses of the early-season form that catapulted him to Brownlow Medal discussions.

“The first four or five games of the season was when he went out and they tagged him in his first game back so that just shows how Carlton feel about him,” Mitchell said.

“70 per cent game time was the marker and I think he finished on 69, we’re really pleased we were able to get him through the game.

“He plays the game in a certain way, I think everyone likes the way Will Day plays especially because he’s probably not built for playing it like that.

“I think sometimes he’s got a loveable demeanour about him, he did a couple of things tonight where you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, there it is’.

“He will obviously be better for playing the game.”