IN HIS pre-match press conference on Thursday, Carlton’s AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss was asked what the team would do to combat Toby Greene.
Voss articulated that the Blues would need to have a clear plan against a player who came into the game in red-hot form.
The plan was, in fact, Nic Newman.
Carlton, of all teams, would be well aware of Greene’s credentials. In 2020 and 2021, he polled both lots of three Brownlow votes in the games between the two clubs. Last year, he kicked five goals in two games against the Blues, and entered the Round 3 contest with two lots of four goals from the opening fortnight.
Newman was ready for a scrap, and he did exactly that for four quarters.
“You’ve got to be on your game when you play him, because he can hurt you in a number of ways — I’ve found that out a few times,” Newman said post-match.
“He’s a bloody good player . . . a tough match-up. I was a bit more proactive in what I wanted to do.
“I had great support from my teammates . . . that plays a pretty big part.”
Contributing 24 disposals himself, Newman held Greene to just five disposals — the lowest the GWS captain has contributed in a completed match throughout a glittering 194-game career.
It would be easy to sing the plaudits of Newman following such a performance, given the credentials of his direct opponent. In truth, Newman has been doing it since the 2023 season began.
Not one who seeks praise at the best of times, Newman has got his job done each week so far this season — and as long as he’s doing that, he’s happy.
“I pride myself on being a consistent performer. I just want to play my role — that’s all I want to do,” he said.
“Sometimes it might be better than that. I’m trying to raise the floor.”
Echoing what was said by coach Voss and captain Cripps in their post-match addresses to media, Newman said it was his side’s mettle that shone through late.
And for the miserly defender, it seems like that suits him just fine.
“It’s been a trademark of all three performances, showing some grit,” he said.
“We did execute some things well from a system point of view, particularly in the last few minutes . . . we know every line plays a role in defence.
“You saw Blake Acres on the goal line saving a goal, Ollie Hollands doing it every week which is remarkable for a kid — it’s been nice to show some grit and hold on.”
