Respected Richmond veteran Chris Newman has earned a fine reputation throughout his long, distinguished AFL career for intelligent reading of the play.
It has enabled him to constantly be in the right place, at the right time, on the field of battle for his beloved Tigers.
That same attribute also has played a key role in Newman’s decision to retire from league football at the end of this season, which he announced yesterday.
“My body and my mind are pretty good, but I just felt at stages this year that the game had probably passed me by a little bit, although I still feel like I’m capable of playing my role for the team and, hopefully, a few more wins to come,” Newman said.
“There were games where I really did struggle, and it wasn’t due to how my body was feeling, or any of that.
“So that’s probably a sign that if I went ahead next year, I wouldn’t be capable of playing anywhere near my best football, and it just wouldn’t be the right thing to do by the team . . .
“I entered this season with a bit of an open mind, but always in the back of the head knowing that things would have to go extremely right for me, on-field, to go on again.
“I’ve been lucky enough, and fortunate enough, to have the coaches back me in and give me the opportunity to play another year, and I’m just trying to repay that favour.”
Of the 264 league games Newman has played so far, one stands out more than any other . . .
“The Sydney game last year is the obvious one for a couple of reasons,” he said.
“That game meant so much, and it was such a big build-up.
“We knew if we won that game we were in the finals. And, it was my 250th (game), so to run out with my little daughter, and to have my family and friends there to watch that game was something else.
“And, the way we won it . . . I think it was really tight, and some players really stood up . . .
“Alex Rance comes to mind in that game.
“He was just a colossus down back and you just couldn’t get it past him. You could tell that it meant a lot to him.
“It was probably the worst game I’ve ever played, to be honest.
“So, I don’t remember it for selfish reasons in that it was my best game.
“But it’s certainly the best feeling I’ve had after a game.”
RELATED VIDEOS
Newman tells his team-mates
The best of Newman
Newman on SEN – August 20
Hello Newman: Petterd’s pad
RELATED NEWS
Newman’s emotional address
Tributes flow for Newman
Newman to retire
