Reigning Peter Crimmins Medallist Jai Newcombe is set to line up for his 100th AFL game on Saturday, and it comes on one of the biggest stages in footy, as Hawthorn prepares to take on GWS in an Elimination Final.
Newcombe is one of the league's best success stories from the mid-season draft, having played 99 of a possible 104 games, including 92 of his past 93, since being recruited to the Hawks as a 19-year-old with the second pick in the 2021 mid-season draft.
Having always been highly regarded within the four walls at Hawthorn, the 24-year-old rose to become one of the competition's premier midfielders last year when he coupled the club's top prize with a 10th-placed finish in the Brownlow Medal count.
This year, as the only Hawks midfielder to have featured in all 23 games so far, the milestone man has ranked above average in disposals (22.4), clearances (5.9), score involvements (5.9) and tackles (5.1).
The Poowong product's qualities go well beyond the stat sheet, as he consistently impresses with his durability, reliability, pressure and aggression.
Above all, Newcombe's resilience has shone through, having bounced back from missing out on an AFL list spot in his draft year, to then impressing Sam Mitchell at VFL level and earning his chance at the elite level, before eventually being awarded the coveted Hawthorn No. 3 after displaying the club's values each time he suits up in the brown and gold.
Most recently, the 24-year-old was rewarded with a six-year contract extension, tying him to the brown and gold until at least the end of 2032.
Speaking to the media last weekend, the childhood Hawks supporter was fully focused on the task at hand on Saturday - winning the Elimination Final.
"It's (the milestone) definitely come up quicker than I expected," Newcombe said.
"It's been nice to play most of the games I've been available for.
"'Punky' (Luke Breust) has been putting it in a good perspective over the last few weeks, how he's gone about it.
"Hopefully, the reflection is a long way down the track for me."
Newcombe won't be the only Hawk celebrating a milestone on Saturday, with gun forward Jack Gunston also set to suit up for his 250th game for Hawthorn.
It continues a week of celebration for the 33-year-old, who earned his second All Australian blazer after kicking a career-best 62 goals in the home-and-away season.
Together, Newcombe and Gunston will aim to continue the celebrations with a win over the GIANTS in Saturday's do-or-die clash.
