HEAD down, eyes forward. 

Carlton defender Nic Newman isn’t paying too much attention to the outside noise, noting that football is too volatile to predict anything. 

Referencing the way that AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss advises the players to block out the punters and remain present, Newman was firm that his side is taking things one game at a time. 

“Footy changes so quickly, within a couple of weeks the narrative can be completely different,” Newman admitted. 

“I think we’re doing a really good job as a footy club to keep our focus narrow and look at what’s right in front of us rather than looking too far ahead.”

The 30-year-old hasn’t changed up too much in his 2024 season, referencing his second-place finish in last year's John Nicholls Medal as his best football to date, and trying to replicate that form. 

Starting with a solid pre-season, the defender focuses all his energy on playing his role and helping out his fellow backman. 

“I felt like I played my best footy last year and it was just about doing more of the same, having a good pre-season. I’m really clear on my role, which has helped,” he said. 

“In terms of goals, I didn’t set any huge goals. It was more just trying to play a similar way to what I did last year and I felt like I was able to contribute a bit with the way I was playing so it was probably more of the same.”

Still needing to review the Richmond win, Newman is looking forward to the away clash with the Giants but did admit he expects them to be fired up after their narrow loss to Adelaide last weekend. 

With the match-up on All-Australian Toby Greene still to be determined, Newman hopes the Blues can continue their recent purple patch of form and continue playing the game their way. 

“We’ve still got to review the Tigers, then we’ll look to the Giants,” he said.

“We’ve had a few guys do different roles this year, in terms of Saad and Cowan in the last few weeks and ‘Gov’. 

“I’m not sure who will get that matchup [on Greene] but no doubt there will be times where we all have to spend some time on him.”

Speaking on All-Australian talent, Newman couldn’t go past the recent form of Patrick Cripps, with the Blues skipper putting together another impressive season. 

“He’s a bit of a marvel to watch – sometimes at half-back you just watch him and ‘Walshy’ go to work at the centre clearances and it’s pretty nice as a defender to see them running out of the centre bounce, kicking goals,” he said.  

“It’s no secret if you followed him around for a week and see the way he prepares and the amount of work he puts in. He gets everything he deserves so it’s good to see him playing some good footy.”