Chris Newman (Australian rules footballer)
Encyclopedia
Chris Newman is an Australian rules football
er, and currently the captain of the Richmond Football Club
. He was drafted at Pick 55 in the 2000 AFL Draft from the Dandenong Stingrays
in the TAC Cup
.
Chris grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Narre Warren where his neighbour and childhood friend was former Carlton
, and now former Brisbane Lions full-forward Brendan Fevola
. Chris was later to become Brendan's best man at his wedding.
for his first two seasons. He was held back by nagging injuries which meant he could not get any form behind himself.
After a strong run of form for the Coburg Tigers
in the VFL, he made his debut for Richmond in Round 9 of the 2002 season
. Newman was then to play every game except the Tiger's Round 22 game due to bad form for the previous month. He played every game though in the 2003 season
, and looked like he might have a career in the big league. He excelled as the Richmond team struggled, kicking 5 goals for the season and averaging 13 disposals off half back. In 2004
, he played yet another good year. He played 19 games, once again averaging 13 disposals and also kicking 2 goals.
was the break-through year for Newman. As Richmond
struggled, Newman was very solid in the heart of their defence. He picked up a career high 24 disposals against Sydney
in Round 14, in a stirring 1 point win over that season's premiers. He averaged 15 disposals for the year after playing every game, and kicked a couple of goals.
Following the 2005 season, Newman was named in the Australian Squad for the 2005 International Rules Series
, and performed well enough in the first test to be named in the bests.
was a disappointing season for Newman despite a fairly strong start. After averaging 14 disposals for the first 12 games of the year, things went horribly wrong in round 13 against Collingwood
. Newman, in an awkward collision with Leon Davis
, broke his leg in two places. This was a similar break to that of fellow Richmond player Nathan Brown
in 2005.
He scored one of the goals of 2007 against Fremantle when he received a 50 m penalty which led him to the centre square after a scuffle with Dean Solomon
. Newman kicked a long bomb from the center square which was going to be the last goal of the 1st quarter. This goal was considered for nomination as one of the "Tiger Treasures of the Century" during Richmond's centenary celebrations in 2008.
.
His 2008 season was statistically his best to date. He averaged 20.4 disposals per game whilst maintaining a solid level of defensive accountability. He won the Tiger's Most Courageous Player award and also managed a 4th place finish in the Jack Dyer Medal
.
On November 19, 2008, following his strong 2008 season, Newman was named Captain of the Richmond Football Club.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er, and currently the captain of the Richmond Football Club
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
. He was drafted at Pick 55 in the 2000 AFL Draft from the Dandenong Stingrays
Dandenong Stingrays
The Dandenong Stingrays are an Australian rules football team in a Victorian under 18s league called the TAC Cup.1992 saw the birth of the ‘Southern Stingrays’ and they were developed under the leadership of Steve Kennedy and Ron Roach with the home base located at the Ben Kavanagh Reserve,...
in the TAC Cup
TAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
.
Chris grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Narre Warren where his neighbour and childhood friend was former Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
, and now former Brisbane Lions full-forward Brendan Fevola
Brendan Fevola
Brendan Fevola is a professional Australian rules footballer. He played with the Carlton and Brisbane Lions football clubs in the Australian Football League....
. Chris was later to become Brendan's best man at his wedding.
Early Career (2000-2004)
Newman struggled to get himself into the first Richmond sideRichmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
for his first two seasons. He was held back by nagging injuries which meant he could not get any form behind himself.
After a strong run of form for the Coburg Tigers
Coburg Tigers
Coburg Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club based in Coburg, a northern suburb of Melbourne, and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. Coburg have an alignment in place with the AFL's Richmond Football Club which saw the Coburg club change its...
in the VFL, he made his debut for Richmond in Round 9 of the 2002 season
2002 AFL season
-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5 :-Ladder:All teams played 22 games during the home and away season, for a total of 176...
. Newman was then to play every game except the Tiger's Round 22 game due to bad form for the previous month. He played every game though in the 2003 season
2003 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2003.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-National Cup:...
, and looked like he might have a career in the big league. He excelled as the Richmond team struggled, kicking 5 goals for the season and averaging 13 disposals off half back. In 2004
2004 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2004.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-Wizard Home Loans Cup:The Wizard Home Loans Cup Final saw St...
, he played yet another good year. He played 19 games, once again averaging 13 disposals and also kicking 2 goals.
2005 season
20052005 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2005.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-National Cup:...
was the break-through year for Newman. As Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
struggled, Newman was very solid in the heart of their defence. He picked up a career high 24 disposals against Sydney
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
in Round 14, in a stirring 1 point win over that season's premiers. He averaged 15 disposals for the year after playing every game, and kicked a couple of goals.
Following the 2005 season, Newman was named in the Australian Squad for the 2005 International Rules Series
2005 International Rules Series
The 2005 International Rules series was the 8th annual International Rules Series and the 14th time that a test series of International rules football was played between Ireland and Australia and was won by Australia....
, and performed well enough in the first test to be named in the bests.
2006 season
20062006 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2006.-National Cup: 3.10.5 defeated 1.10.15 in the 2006 NAB Cup Final...
was a disappointing season for Newman despite a fairly strong start. After averaging 14 disposals for the first 12 games of the year, things went horribly wrong in round 13 against Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
. Newman, in an awkward collision with Leon Davis
Leon Davis (footballer)
Leon Davis is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Drafted to Collingwood in 1999 as a small forward, Davis is of Aboriginal heritage. Davis made an early impression at the Pies and played Round 1 in his debut season. He showed that he was capable of turning a match but...
, broke his leg in two places. This was a similar break to that of fellow Richmond player Nathan Brown
Nathan G. Brown
Nathan Gordon Brown is a former Australian rules footballer for the Richmond and the Western Bulldogs in the AFL...
in 2005.
2007 Season
Newman was able to successfully recover from this horrible break and become one of Richmond's most consistent performers for the year. His run off the half-backline was crucial to the Tigers counter-attacking gameplan.He scored one of the goals of 2007 against Fremantle when he received a 50 m penalty which led him to the centre square after a scuffle with Dean Solomon
Dean Solomon
Dean Solomon is retired Australian rules footballer. He played for the Fremantle Dockers and the Essendon Bombers in his 13 year, 209 games and a premiership career.-Early career:...
. Newman kicked a long bomb from the center square which was going to be the last goal of the 1st quarter. This goal was considered for nomination as one of the "Tiger Treasures of the Century" during Richmond's centenary celebrations in 2008.
2008 Season
In 2008, Newman was named as Richmond's Deputy Vice Captain along with Nathan FoleyNathan Foley (footballer)
Nathan Foley is an Australian rules football player. He plays as a midfielder for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
.
His 2008 season was statistically his best to date. He averaged 20.4 disposals per game whilst maintaining a solid level of defensive accountability. He won the Tiger's Most Courageous Player award and also managed a 4th place finish in the Jack Dyer Medal
Jack Dyer Medal
The Jack Dyer Medal is an Australian rules football award given each season to the player or players adjudged Best and Fairest for the Richmond Football Club....
.
On November 19, 2008, following his strong 2008 season, Newman was named Captain of the Richmond Football Club.
Achievements & Honours
- RichmondRichmond Football ClubThe Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
Captain 2009- - Australian International Rules Squad2005 International Rules SeriesThe 2005 International Rules series was the 8th annual International Rules Series and the 14th time that a test series of International rules football was played between Ireland and Australia and was won by Australia....
2005 - 100 Tiger Treasures "Goal of the Century" Nominee (2008)