Hawthorn Player Jai Newcombe faces suspension for dangerous tackle on Ed Richards on Feb 27 2026

Jai Newcombe's recent tackle is being reviewed by the AFL MRO. This is the second time this season he has faced scrutiny for a tackle.
By Newsroom | AFL, Sports |

Hawks Facing Questions on Player Conduct

Hawthorn Football Club is facing renewed scrutiny regarding player actions on the field, particularly concerning dangerous tackles. Recent incidents involving key players like Jai Newcombe and Mabior Chol have raised questions about player safety and the enforcement of rules within the Australian Football League (AFL).

Evidence suggests a pattern of incidents involving Hawthorn players, prompting an investigation into their tackling techniques and adherence to safety protocols.

Timeline of Incidents

Several events have brought Hawthorn players' tackling to the league's attention:

  • August 7, 2025: Jai Newcombe was involved in a collision with Collingwood's Jeremy Howe. The incident resulted in Howe being concussed and taken from the field. While Newcombe avoided suspension, the severity of the impact raised concerns.

  • August 8, 2025: The Match Review Officer (MRO) deemed Newcombe's actions not worthy of a charge, describing his tackle attempt as "not unreasonable in the circumstances." This decision followed a similar incident involving Melbourne's Steven May.

  • September 20, 2025: Mabior Chol received a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Hawthorn's Tom Stewart. The MRO classified the act as careless conduct with severe impact and high contact. Stewart was seen to be dazed after the tackle.

  • September 23, 2025: The Hawks successfully appealed Chol's suspension. The Tribunal ruled that Sam Butler's simultaneous tackle on Stewart altered the circumstances, meaning Chol did not act unreasonably.

  • April 21, 2025: Conor Nash faced scrutiny for a "crude hit" on Jarman Impey during a game against Geelong. Details on the outcome of this assessment are not fully elaborated in the provided data.

  • February 27, 2026 (recent): Jai Newcombe is again under scrutiny for a tackle on Western Bulldogs' Ed Richards. Reports indicate Richards' right arm was pinned, and he was brought to the ground in a manner that may result in a suspension.

Investigating the Newcombe Tackle

The latest incident involving Jai Newcombe and Ed Richards occurred on Friday night. Reports suggest Newcombe pinned Richards' right arm and took him to the ground, resulting in Richards' head making contact with the ground.

‘Ticks a lot of boxes for a suspension’: Hawks gun faces scrutiny over dangerous tackle - 1

"He has to identify he has one arm where he can’t move and he takes him to ground and his head hits the ground."

The severity of this tackle is being assessed by the AFL's Match Review Officer (MRO). The outcome will determine if Newcombe faces a suspension. The description provided by observers indicates it "ticks a lot of boxes for a suspension."

Read More: Hawthorn Player Jai Newcombe Faces Review After Western Bulldogs Game

Mabior Chol's Suspension and Appeal

Mabior Chol's three-match suspension for his tackle on Tom Stewart highlights the complexities of judging dangerous tackles. The MRO cited careless conduct, severe impact, and high contact. However, the Hawks successfully argued that an accompanying tackle by Sam Butler altered the dynamics of Chol's action.

The Tribunal found Chol did not engage in rough conduct, agreeing with the Hawks’ case that Sam Butler’s simultaneous tackle on Stewart impacted the tackle, changing the circumstances of the incident and meaning he did not act unreasonably.

This outcome suggests that the interpretation of a tackle can be nuanced, taking into account simultaneous actions by other players.

Newcombe's Previous Near Miss

Jai Newcombe previously avoided a suspension for a collision with Collingwood's Jeremy Howe, which left Howe concussed. The MRO concluded that Newcombe's attempt to tackle was "not unreasonable in the circumstances," a decision supported by commentary that framed it as a "football accident."

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‘Ticks a lot of boxes for a suspension’: Hawks gun faces scrutiny over dangerous tackle - 2

"The MRO said the reason for not handing down a charge is that Newcombe’s attempt to tackle was ‘not unreasonable in the circumstances’."

This prior ruling provides a contrast to the current scrutiny he faces, underscoring the potential for different interpretations based on the specifics of each incident.

Expert Analysis on Tackle Rules

The AFL's framework for assessing dangerous tackles aims to protect players. However, these assessments often involve subjective judgment calls regarding intent, force, and impact.

  • The rule focuses on player safety, but the application can be challenging due to the dynamic nature of the sport.

  • The impact of simultaneous actions by multiple players, as seen in the Mabior Chol case, can significantly influence the MRO's decision.

  • The distinction between a legitimate tackle and one deemed dangerous often hinges on whether the tackler acts "unreasonably" in the circumstances.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The AFL's review of Jai Newcombe's recent tackle on Ed Richards is ongoing. The outcome will be critical in determining whether the league enforces stricter penalties for certain types of tackles, especially those involving head contact or pinning of limbs.

The previous successful appeal by Mabior Chol, where a simultaneous tackle influenced the ruling, suggests that context and the actions of other players will be a significant factor.

The assessment of Conor Nash's incident also requires further clarification. The Hawks will await the MRO's decision on Newcombe, which will shed light on the league's current stance on dangerous tackling.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Hawthorn player Jai Newcombe being investigated?
Jai Newcombe is being investigated for a tackle he made on Ed Richards on February 27, 2026. The tackle involved pinning Richards' arm and bringing him to the ground, causing his head to hit the turf.
Q: Will Jai Newcombe be suspended for his tackle on Ed Richards?
The AFL's Match Review Officer (MRO) is currently assessing the tackle. Observers feel it 'ticks a lot of boxes for a suspension' due to the way Ed Richards' arm was pinned and his head contacted the ground.
Q: Has Jai Newcombe been in trouble for tackles before?
Yes, Jai Newcombe was previously investigated for a tackle on Jeremy Howe on August 7, 2025, which left Howe concussed. However, the MRO decided then that Newcombe's tackle was 'not unreasonable in the circumstances'.
Q: What happened with Mabior Chol's suspension on September 20, 2025?
Mabior Chol was suspended for three matches for a dangerous tackle on Tom Stewart. The Hawks successfully appealed this suspension because Sam Butler's simultaneous tackle on Stewart changed the circumstances.
Q: How does the AFL decide if a tackle is dangerous?
The AFL focuses on player safety. Decisions are made by the Match Review Officer (MRO) based on factors like the force and impact of the tackle, and whether the tackler acted 'unreasonably'. Actions of other players can also be considered.