Chris Newman (Australian rules footballer)

For other uses, see Chris Newman (disambiguation).

Chris Newman
Personal information
Full name	Christopher Newman
Date of birth	18 May 1982 (1982-05-18) (age 29)
Place of birth	Victoria
Original team	Dandenong Stingrays
Draft	55th overall, 2000 Richmond
Height/Weight	183cm / 81kg
Position(s)	Half Back Flank
Club information
Current club	Richmond
Number	17 / 1
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2001 –	Richmond	192 (29)[1]
1 Playing statistics to end of 2011 season .
Career highlights
Richmond Captain 2009- Australian International Rules Squad 2005

Chris Newman (born 18 May 1982) is an Australian rules footballer, 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.

Career

Early Career (2000-2004)

Newman struggled to get himself into the first Richmond side 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.

2005 season

2005 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.

2006 season

2006 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.

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. 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.^[2]

2008 Season

In 2008, Newman was named as Richmond's Deputy Vice Captain along with Nathan Foley.

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.^[3]

Achievements & Honours

• Richmond Captain 2009-
• Australian International Rules Squad 2005
• 100 Tiger Treasures "Goal of the Century" Nominee (2008)

References

1. ^ "Richmond Football Club Playerlist". Richmond Football Club. http://www.richmondfc.com.au/Players/tabid/7689/default.aspx. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
2. ^ "17 things about Chris Newman". Richmond Football Club. http://www.richmondfc.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsId=69904. Retrieved 2008-11-19. 
3. ^ "Newman to lead next wave". Richmond Football Club. http://www.richmondfc.com.au/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsid=69902. Retrieved 2008-11-19. 

External links

• Chris Newman (Australian rules footballer)'s profile on the Official AFL Website of the Richmond Football Club
• Chris Newman (Australian rules footballer)'s statistics from AFL Tables

Sporting positions
Preceded by Kane Johnson	Richmond Football Club captain 2009 –	Succeeded by Incumbent

Persondata
Name	Newman, Chris
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	18 May 1982
Place of birth	Victoria
Date of death
Place of death