continued....
Newman, who broke his leg in Round 13, joined in his first full running session on Wednesday at Victoria Park.
His recovery is on track and Round 1 is tentatively being pencilled in following a probable NAB Cup start.
"I'm finally starting to compete a bit and I was very nervous (before the run)," Newman said.
"Browny often tells me what he wished he'd done if he could have his time back. He's been good.
"It's not only the physical side, but the mental side as well which is tough. They said I could take the rod out (of my leg) before Christmas, but I don't want to rush it and risk setting myself back."
Newman has been elevated to the leadership group, along with ruckman Troy Simmonds and Coughlan. They join Johnson, Brown and Joel Bowden.
Brown has enjoyed watching Newman's progress and is thrilled with his own.
"There's a bit of a burning desire because I still don't think I've got the best out of myself," Brown said.
"I played some consistent football but I haven't got the best out of my ability and I've still got years to go. It's something that is driving me at the moment.
"All the guys are going well. It's gone pretty quick so that means it's been enjoyable."
New development coach Craig McRae said the enthusiasm at the club was better than he saw at the Lions.
"Training has been enormous," he said.
"My memories are of working hard, but nowhere near as much as this at this time. So it's been a real eye-opener in that sense."
But for all the sweat, hard yards and time pounding in the gym, there are no real prizes on offer yet.
Coach Terry Wallace said the NAB 15 system would give him a much clearer direction when selecting the side and that it would breed a culture of discipline. But perhaps Brown sums up the feeling at Punt Road best.
"In November and December there's a hell of a lot of heroes at every football club," he said.
"There's blokes who can run the tan in 10 minutes and blokes who can lift 150kg in bench presses. But at the end of the day it's about getting the footy.
"We finished ninth this year so we have one more position to climb and anything other than finals should be put down as a lost opportunity."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20940360-23211,00.html
