Hawthorn mid-season draft recruit Jai Newcombe has not had to wait long to make his senior debut.
The former Box Hill midfielder will be unleashed on Friday night against Sydney, coach Alastair Clarkson has confirmed.
Newcombe was selected with pick two in the mid-season draft after a stellar start to the VFL season.
He has averaged 23 disposals per game in his six VFL games, to go with seven tackles and six marks.
Given he has been under the nose of the Hawks all season, his elevation straight into the senior team highlights how impressed the club is with him.
As well as announcing the debutant, Clarkson also used his mid-week press conference to dismiss any potential link to the vacant Collingwood coaching role.
“I’m contracted at the Hawks in 2022 and I have every intention of being here next year,” he told reporters.
“This happens every year I daresay for the last 10 and I don’t say that in an arrogant fashion. Every time there’s some sort of movement in a coaching fashion my name is linked to it and I haven’t moved for 10 years and I daresay I won’t be moving this time either.
“My focus is purely on the Hawthorn Football Club, I’m still contracted, I want to see this out.”