{"id":51490,"date":"2025-08-07T22:56:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T22:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/51490\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T22:56:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T22:56:14","slug":"collingwood-supporters-called-out-for-act-towards-jai-newcombe-as-weird-collision-divides-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/51490\/","title":{"rendered":"Collingwood supporters called out for act towards Jai Newcombe as ‘weird’ collision divides fans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Collingwood<\/a> fans have been called out for booing Jai Newcombe after the Hawks star returned to the field following a collision with Jeremy Howe with many comparing the incident to the Steven May ban<\/a>. Only minutes into Hawthorn’s 65-point thrashing of the Magpies both Howe and Newcombe clashed heads in a worrying blow.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a car crash \u2014 credit to both players. Howe bodylined the ball, and Newcombe put himself in harm\u2019s way,\u201d David King said after the collision on Fox Sports commentary. \u201cIncredibly brave, and he just had a head clash. It\u2019s sickening to watch \u2026 It\u2019s really difficult to watch if you\u2019re a teammate of Jeremy Howe\u2019s right now too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Collingwood<\/p>\n

Collingwood fans have been called out for their booing of Jai Newcombe (pictured right) after the Hawks star collided with Jeremy Howe in a sickening moment that has divided fans (Images: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Howe initially did not move in the scary scenes as the Collingwood star was taken to hospital for precautionary scans after the incident. Incredibly, Newcombe passed his concussion test having remained hunched over besides Howe for a moment after the incident.<\/p>\n

Newcombe returned before quarter-time and produced a barnstorming effort to record a team-high total of 28 disposals and seven clearances. However, Newcombe’s return didn’t please Magpies fans. Newcombe was booed with fans unhappy he had returned, while Howe was out due to the scary collision.<\/p>\n

Plenty of fans were divided over whether the Hawks star did enough to avoid dangerous contact with Howe coming off second best. Both appeared to have eyes on the ball and neither player would have wanted a sickening head collision.<\/p>\n

Although there are plenty of calls for Newcombe to face the MRO with some fans suggesting Newcombe could be in trouble. Many compared the incident to May’s, which saw the Melbourne star cop a three-game ban for his collision with Francis Evans.<\/p>\n

\"Both<\/p>\n

Both Jai Newcombe and Jeremy Howe after a collision.<\/p>\n

Jai Newcombe tackle ‘different’ to Steven May tackle<\/p>\n

Last month, May was banned for rough conduct after the MRO claimed he should have done more to prevent the collision before impact with Blues star Evans. However, Fox Sports reporter Jon Ralph explained why Newcombe would most likely avoid suspension having deemed the Hawks star attempted to wrap his arms around Howe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe good news is, that it seems it\u2019s only a concussion for Howe \u2026 he was certainly alert, he was moving his arms and talking to those medicos,\u201d Ralph said at quarter-time. \u201cNewcombe\u2019s collision with Howe is surely going to be assessed as a football accident. He chose to tackle, not bump.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is very different to Steven May on Francis Evans. It is very different even to Liam Ryan who ran headlong into Trent Rivers last week. He didn\u2019t even seem to protect himself there. I think (Newcombe) does a very good job at wrapping up his opponent, as brutal as his collision was.\u201d<\/p>\n

Newcombe definitely attempted to wrap his arms for a tackle and the head collision was unfortunate for both players. Although not everyone agreed. Many felt Newcombe had time to mitigate the incident and should be looking at a similar ban to May.<\/p>\n

Collingwood fans called out over booing<\/p>\n

Magpies coach Craig McRae admitted the tackle happened in front of the dugout and rocked those watching. \u201cI don\u2019t want to make excuses… it rocked us. It was right in front of us, it rocked us and it rocked some of our staff. We hope he\u2019s okay, and we hope his family\u2019s okay too,\u201d McRae said.<\/p>\n

While fans argued over the incident, which will be the talking point of the week, others were displeased with Magpies fans targeting Newcombe after the head clash. The Hawks star was booed following the clash of heads and fans felt Collingwood supporters went over the top at the MCG. This was consideirng both players were injured and the stadium was brought to silence when Howe was stretchered off the field. Regardless, the debate over the incident divided the AFL world and will continue to do so with the MRO looking at the incident.<\/p>\n

Genuinely confused. Newcombe didn’t elect to bump, also didn’t try and tackle. Just awkwardly ran into the path of Howe. Very odd seeing someone get to the contest like that, but also don’t think he’s done anything wrong. Weird incident. #AFLHawksPies<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sean Ioannidis (@seanioannidis) August 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Collingwood supporters booing Newcombe .. give me a spell \ud83e\udd26\u200d\u2642\ufe0f
And ginnivan who McRae didn\u2019t want #AFLHawksPies<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Luke presley (@luke_presley) August 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The crowd is so immature omg. Collingwood players worried about Howe yet have to hear the unnecessary Collingwood chant and boo\u2019s towards Newcombe despite him not even being on the field #AFLHawksPies<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 a.e\u2077 (@190811jungkook) August 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Craig McRae apologises for Collingwood display<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the incident overshadowed a brilliant night for the Hawks who dismantled Collingwood to lay down a marker for the rest of the competition. Collingwood sit on 60 points at the top of the ladder with the Crows, but didn’t look like the dominant side that has destoryed teams this year.<\/p>\n

Instead it was Hawthorn who did the damage having moved into fifth with the win. Collingwood coach Craig McRae apologised to the supporters for a dismal effort where the the ball movement was not up to standard.<\/p>\n

“I apologise to our Magpie Army. That’s a disappointing performance, you can’t sugar-coat that,” McRae said. “We owe Steele Sidebottom way more than that too. He’s a legend of the footy club. We’re hurting. That one really hurt. It was just a lack of system and then a lack of fight and lack of effort, sometimes at the same time, which leaves us really vulnerable.”<\/p>\n

\"Jai<\/p>\n

Jai Newcombe and Jeremy Howe clash heads at the MCG.<\/p>\n