Chris Newman has provided Richmond with excellent service since being chosen by the Club at a bargain-basement pick 55 in the 2000 National Draft.

Newman served a solid apprenticeship with the Tigers, spending his entire first season in 2001 playing for the Club’s VFL affiliate Coburg.

It took him until Round 9 the following season to break into the Richmond line-up, but once he did, there was no looking back.

From that first game, against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium in 2002, Newman became an integral part of the Tiger team.

Over the past decade, he’s been the glue that has held the side’s backline together, through his composure, awareness, strength, toughness, leadership qualities, and trusty left foot.

A key part of Newman’s backline role has been the ‘kick-ins’ after an opposition behind, and it’s something he’s coped with extremely well due to his unflappable nature.

During Newman’s time at Tigerland, the team has frequently struggled at the foot of the league ladder, yet he has still managed to perform at a consistently high level throughout.

He finished fourth in the Jack Dyer Medal in 2008, was third in 2009 and then runner-up in 2010.  
When Kane Johnson resigned as Richmond’s captain at the end of the 2008 season, Newman was appointed as his replacement and, not surprisingly, he responded extremely well to the added responsibility of the role.

With his selfless approach to the game, Newman was a fine leader of such a young playing group and, even though he stood down as skipper at the end of the 2012 season, there’s no doubt he still has plenty to offer the Tigers in the twilight of a league career he can be mighty proud of.

Chris Newman profile
Born:  18/5/1982
Height:  183cm
Weight:  83kg
Draft history:  Taken by the Tigers at pick 55 overall in the 2000 National Draft
Guernsey number at Richmond:  No. 35, No. 1 and No. 17
Debut at Richmond:  Round 9, 2002 v St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
Games at Richmond (2002-2012):  214
Goals at Richmond:  32
Honors at Richmond:  Club captain 2009-2012; runner-up in the 2010 Jack Dyer Medal, third in the 2009 Jack Dyer Medal