\n The Match Review findings are in for Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s AAMI Community Series games\n <\/p>\n
Jai Newcombe speaks to media during Hawthorn’s media opportunity at Waverley Park on September 8, 2025. Picture: Getty Images<\/p>\n
HAWTHORN will challenge the one-game ban handed to midfielder Jai Newcombe, while West Coast recruit Harry Schoenberg has also been hit with a one-game suspension following the weekend’s AAMI Community Series matches.<\/p>\n
Newcombe is set to miss his side’s Opening Round clash with Greater Western Sydney unless the Hawks can successfully challenge the one-match ban handed to their new co-captain for rough conduct.<\/p>\n
Newcombe drove Western Bulldogs star Ed Richards’ head into the ground in the third quarter of their match on Friday night.<\/p>\n
Richards had one arm pinned by Newcombe but wasn’t seriously hurt in the incident, getting up to take his kick and playing out the rest of the game.<\/p>\n
The Match Review Officer graded the incident as careless, medium impact and high contact, leading to the one-game suspension.<\/p>\n
However, Hawthorn confirmed it will challenge the ban at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
Despite the suspension, Newcombe will remain eligible for the Brownlow Medal this year as the ban came in a pre-season game, not a home and away match.<\/p>\n
The possible loss of Newcombe is a big blow for the Hawks, who are already without injured star Will Day (shoulder) and young midfielder Cam Mackenzie, who suffered a concussion in the loss to the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
Schoenberg, meanwhile, was charged with striking Port Adelaide’s Logan Evans in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s AAMI Community Series match.<\/p>\n
The Match Review Officer graded the incident as intentional, medium impact and body contact, leading to the one-game ban.<\/p>\n
Schoenberg is the first victim of a new Match Review change for 2026, where strikes are more likely to be graded medium impact – and result in a one-week ban – than in previous years.<\/p>\n