Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe has been offered a one-week suspension for his tackle on Western Bulldogs star Ed Richards in last Friday night’s pre-season clash at Whitten Oval.
The 24-year-old brought Richards to ground on the cusp of three-quarter time during their 44-point loss to the Dogs, in an act that has been graded by the AFL Tribunal as careless, medium impact and high contact.
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Fox Sports News’ David Zita reports Hawthorn will appeal the decision, in the hope of overturning the verdict which at this stage will rule Newcombe out of his side’s Saturday evening clash with GWS.
Sam Mitchell’s brown and gold side are already depleted through the middle of the ground, with Will Day (shoulder) and Cam Mackenzie (concussion) already sidelined. The departure of James Worpel to Geelong via free agency in the off-season leaves their nucleus further depleted to kick off 2026.
Gaz full of praise for ‘Perfect’ Dogs | 03:16
SSP FLURRY AS SEVERAL PLAYERS REALISE AFL DREAM
Just days out from the 2026 season starting, a number of clubs have finalised their playing lists as the Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) ends on March 2.
On Monday afternoon, AFL Media’s Cal Twomey reported Richmond has signed Thomas Burton as an SSP addition, ahead of the deadline.
It was reported in late November that Burton, after being overlooked at the drafts, would trial at Punt Road in hopes of earning a rookie list spot.
Described as a small rebounding defender, Burton earned Talent League Team of the Year honours last year after averaging 29.0 disposals for Western Jets. Burton edges out fellow train-on Boston Dowling, who’d received a late call-up to train with the Tigers in hopes of realising his AFL dream.
Earlier, multiple outlets reported Melbourne’s signing of Casey Demons product Paddy Cross, who was picked up less than 24 hours after Steven May departed the club via a contract settlement.
The 23-year-old forward signs after training with the club across the summer and winning Casey’s Rising Star award last year.
Out west, AFL Media reports that the Western Bulldogs have signed 26-year-old Will Lewis from their Footscray VFL side, edging out former Carlton forward Will White for the vacancy.
White joined the Dogs’ pre-season group late after being let go out of Princes Park, but was ultimately not selected with Lewis effectively replacing James Harmes on Luke Beveridge’s list after his retirement last month.
And at Hawthorn, multiple reports have revealed Sturt star Flynn Perez will join a professional list for a second time, edging out fellow contenders Ethan Stanley and Jack Riding for a contract.
The 24-year-old played 24 matches for North Melbourne between 2020 and 2023, but was plagued by injury in the early stages of his career having undergone two knee reconstructions.
The SSP deadline is at 5pm AEDT on Monday, March 2.
AFL’S BOLD OLYMPICS PUSH REVEALED
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has revealed he and the league will push to have Aussie rules included as a sport at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Speaking at the official launch of Opening Round in Sydney ahead of the 2026 season opener, the CEO spoke to his belief on taking eyes on the sport to next level.
“We’ve spoken at a high level about that and the reality is there’s a precedent for that back in 1956 in Melbourne, where Australian rules football was the exhibition sport,” Andrew Dillon said.
“So I think our sport is a sport that should be on that stage, and we’ll work closely with the Olympic Committee on what form that takes.”
At the 1956 Games, over 30,000 people attended a match between the VAFA and the VFL, won by the amateurs.
However exhibition or demonstration sports have not been used by the Olympics since Barcelona 1992, with new sports instead being added since Tokyo 2020 such as sport climbing, breaking, surfing and cricket (2028).
The 2032 Brisbane Olympics will run from July 23 to August 8, 2032.