Newman on the up after ’06 setback
footygoss.com
Feb 27, 2008
Richmond defender Chris Newman has become one of the AFL’s elite backline players over the past 12 months, which is all the more astonishing given the 25-year-old sustained a broken leg against Collingwood in Round 13, 2006.
Newman was tipped to miss the bulk of 2007 with the injury, but recovered well enough to play all 22 home and away games for the Tigers and finish eighth in the club’s best and fairest award.
The left-footer told SEN radio in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon that his leg had fully recovered from the shocking break and he had not experienced difficulties like teammate Nathan Brown who suffered a similar injury in 2005.
“Over time you get the confidence in your leg and you put so much work into it that you just have to back yourself in,” Newman said.
“It’s really surprising actually how good it is feeling and how good it felt last year.
“I think I was really lucky with my break, it was really clean and it just went straight back together.”
Newman was made vice-captain of the Tigers at the start of this season (with Nathan Foley) and added that the team that finished last in 2007 was simply looking at 2008 on a week-to-week basis.
“I don’t want to make any bold statements and I don’t think we can,” Newman said.
“I think the whole focus over the preseason period has been Round 1 and obviously get the year off to a good start is really crucial for us.”
Newman has played 111 games for the Tigers since making his debut in 2002.
http://www.footygoss.com/main/club_news/richmond/view/newman_on_the_up_after_06_setback/