Get to know Norwood U18 Jacob Newton

Norwood U18 Jacob Newton will head to Melbourne in October for the National AFL Draft Combine following a strong 2024 season.

Newton and Norwood teammate Ned Bowman have been invited to the National Combine, while fellow Redleg Jay Polkinghorne will participate in the State Combine, ahead of the National AFL Draft in November.

The powerful midfielder from Norwood’s regional zone of the Eyre Peninsula said he had a bright start to the season, set up by a strong pre-season block in the State Academy.

“I started the year with the academy program for the State and it was probably the perfect start that I needed,” Newton said.

“It really get me in form and having a good pre season like that got me rearing to start playing footy games and get into the contest.

“It’s probably the first full pre season I’ve done because I normally go home for holidays and it made a big difference.”

Newton started the U18 season with the Redlegs like a house on fire – a best on ground 22-disposal, 10-clearance game against North Adelaide in Round 1, which included an outstanding running goal from a centre clearance.

“I was pretty happy with how I went for Norwood this year and I have been trying to find a good balance between playing school football with Rostrevor, as well as Norwood and State,” he said.

“I loved being a part of the state program, there was good camaraderie within the boys. Getting to meet and play with new boys and then going interstate and playing over there is just a really good experience.

“The contest was unreal. Such fast footy and just being able to be a part of that was pretty special. It gave me a bit of a taste of what could be to come.”

Newton transitioned from a permanent midfielder to a half forward for the National Carnival and finished with six goals for the tournament and was one of South Australia’s best.

He received the Ron Coleman Award for South Australia’s Best Team Man during the Championships.

“I enjoyed just being a part of the team, and getting on the end of a few goals, I was pretty fortunate,” he said.

“I felt pretty comfortable out there and held my own. So, I was pretty grateful for that.

“The midfield and half forward role is kind of similar. So transitioning into that role, it was kind of like a second nature for me, just being around the contest all the time and trying to bring that forward half pressure and getting on the end of a few goals was kind of the key intentions of the half forward role.

“It wasn’t really too much of a change up, and I thought I adapted to that pretty well, so I’m pretty happy about it.”

Newton will head to Melbourne for the National Draft Combine in October, but won’t be able to compete in the tests due to a foot injury.

“It’s great to see all the work paying off (being invited to the Combine),” he said.

“I was pretty happy when State Coach Tony Bamford called me up and told me that I was invited because being injured at the moment, I wasn’t really sure what was going to happen.

“I am really fortunate to get the invite and am looking forward to going to Melbourne and catching up with the boys and seeing what it’s all about.

“With my injury, I probably won’t do any of the testing at this stage, but will be involved in the interviews, but, it’s going to be real good fun and pretty exciting.

“My foot’s going pretty well, no need to have surgery which is a positive. I start running in a month’s time and will be trying to recover fully before getting back into pre season training.”