‘Absolute madness’: Hawthorn star Jai Newcombe delivers quarter for the ages

Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe has delivered a quarter of footy for the ages that left those watching on with their jaws firmly on the floor.

Hawthorn made a lightning fast start to the first semi-final against the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

Inside the opening minute the Hawks had two goals on the board with the local fans stunned at what had unfolded.

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Jai Newcombe was the man wreaking havoc with the Hawks midfielder doing as he pleased in the opening quarter.

The 24-year-old had his hands on everything as he continually drove the Hawks out of the centre square and deep inside 50.

Moments later the Hawks had a third goal with Karl Amon slotting one from well outside the arc.

Newcombe then came from the ground for a rest after getting the Hawks off and running, but the decision to bench him didn’t go down well with Kane Cornes.

Newcombe was on the bench after only three minutes

“The Hawks midfield was all over Adelaide early and Newcombe came off just 3 minutes in. It’s absolute madness,” Cornes said on Channel 7’s coverage.

As soon as Newcombe came from the ground, the Crows responded to the onslaught by finally driving the ball forward.

It didn’t take long before they had hit back on the scoreboard as the momentum swung heavily in their favour.

The Hawks however responded after the scores were tied up with Newcombe once again proving to be an unstoppable force.

In the opening quarter the 24-year-old had 11 disposals, six clearances, four inside 50s and 187 metres gained. Five of his clearances came directly from the centre square.

The Crows as a team had seven clearances for the term.

Fox Footy’s Jason Dunstall said: “That’s one of the most exceptional individual quarters you’ll see from a midfielder.”

Triple M’s Ethan Meldrum wrote on X: “Holy sh*t Jai Newcombe, first three clearances of the semi after being the highest rated in every final played to date. What a freak.”

SEN’s Mike Pfitzner wrote: “That is an unbelievable quarter from Newcombe. One of the very best you’ll see in the first quarter of a final. Elite!”

The Hawks held the 4.4 (28) to 3.2 (20) lead at quarter time.

Originally published as ‘Absolute madness’: Hawthorn star Jai Newcombe delivers quarter for the ages