Jacob Newton to the Eagles in 2025 AFL Mid Season Draft

Norwood’s Jacob Newton has been selected in the 2025 AFL Mid-Season Draft with Pick 9, heading to the West Coast Eagles.

After being overlooked in last year’s 2024 National Draft, due to an untimely foot injury, Newton finally got his name called out on Wednesday night.

The 19-year-old midfielder turned forward has played four SANFL matches for Norwood in 2025, and looked right at home at League level.

Since making his debut in Round 3 against Sturt, Newton has kicked seven goals (third on Norwood’s goal kicking tally), booting three in his last two outings against the Crows and South Adelaide.

Despite averaging eight touches, three marks 2.5 tackles and a goal a game, Newton has become an impact player at SANFL level, and been a valuable member of the Redlegs forward line.

Norwood General Manager of Football Richard Kelly said this was outstanding reward for effort.

“We congratulate Jacob on being selected in the Mid-Season Draft,” he said.

“His attitude to his recovery from injury has been excellent, and its been great to see him flourish in the senior program at Norwood.

“We have no doubt that he’s an AFL-calibre player and hopefully he can have a long career at the top level.”

Originally from Elliston on the club’s Regional Zone of the Eyre Peninsula, Newton came through Norwood’s junior pathway, predominantly playing as a strong midfielder at U16 and U18 level.

He boarded at Rostrevor College while playing for Norwood.

After representing SA in last year’s AFL U18 Championships, his foot injury came at a bad time and was overlooked in the National Draft.

It’s the second season in a row that a Norwood junior has been selected in the Mid Season Draft after defender Logan Evans was Drafted to Port Adelaide this time last year.