CARLTON defender Nic Newman is feeling the love from Blues fans, after finishing Round 10 with a strong position on the ladder, winning eight out of ten games.
With a big defensive effort from the Blues in their clash with the Swans, Newman was proud of the way his side carried out the game.
Here’s what he had to say about the Club and his teammates.
On the feeling at the Club:
"It’s clearly positive, eight and two is a good place to be and it’s enjoyable to come into work at the moment, so it’s good."
On external expectations:
“I didn’t have any expectations [heading into the season]. We’ve got a new coach and new coaches, it was all pretty new this year. I’ll definitely take eight and two, it’s pleasing.
“I haven’t really thought too much about it. Things change so quickly in the AFL that if you drop your guard, you could fall out of the top four or top eight, or jump your way back in. I haven’t thought too much passed this week.”
On Michael Voss:
“'Vossy' has been great.
"He’s really backed us in and put a game style in front of us that we’re really thriving in and enjoying playing in. He’s been super for our Club, he’s very level and sees things for what they are – I’m really enjoying having him as a coach.”
On the injury list:
“Ideally we have more blokes out on the park and our injury list isn’t that long but sometimes, it’s just the way it is in footy.
“The pleasing thing is that we’ve had guys come in, changes most weeks, and guys have just come in and played their role. They haven’t had to set the world on fire: they just come in, play their role and contribute to wins, that’s definitely probably one of the most pleasing things about the year.”
On Jacob Weitering:
“I feel like he’s got the job done every week for the past two and half years, he’s probably getting the plaudits a bit more this year.
“I feel like he’s been doing that for a few years now and obviously I’m lucky enough to see it first-hand. You walk taller when you’re walking out next to him for sure and he had a fantastic game on Friday night, but I feel like he’s been doing that all year for us.”
On Charlie Curnow:
“He brings a lot of energy, not just on game day, around the Club too. Him and Ed [Curnow] are people who are always up and about, it’s been great to see.
“I missed a year with my knee and was in rehab with him so we spent a bit of time together. Rehab can be a lonely place, so to see him out there and playing to his potential and kicking goals and getting the crowd going [has been great].
“It warms the heart, especially for me who saw him in a pretty tough place being out for two years. I’m just pumped to see him back out there and enjoying his footy.
“Athletically, he’s just so gifted. I think he’s always had those athletic attributes, but missing a couple of years, it’s given him real resilience: he’s matured a lot over the last few years.”
On Patrick Cripps:
“It’s great to see ‘Crippa’ back playing to his best and doing a good job. I think his form suggests he’s playing as well as he ever has.
“If you were within the four walls, it’s not a huge surprise. You see the amount of work he puts in day to day and the work he puts into his craft, his body, the mental side of the game: he deserves everything he gets.”
On the Collingwood clash:
“It’s going to be really exciting. 3:20pm on Sunday at the ’G, it’s always a good time to play footy. Against the arch rivals and another big club, it’s going to be a big game, we’ll get a big crowd.
“I saw they had a good win last night so their fans will be up and about, so will ours. It’ll be a cracking game.
"They’re in some good form after last night, knocking off a pretty good team [Fremantle]. It’ll be a good game and we’ll be ready for it.”
On the Carlton faithful:
“You definitely hear them. They’ve had it tough for a period of time and it’s great to be able to see them up and about and really passionate about Carlton.
“They’ve stuck by us when things haven’t been going too well for us so it’s been amazing to have their support over the last few years and we’re definitely feeling it this year.
“The crowds have been amazing. Even in away games, it feels like a home game: it’s pretty amazing to see.”
