Nic Newman modest about AFL draft chances despite outstanding VFL season for Frankston

FRANKSTON young gun Nic Newman is remaining realistic and modest about his draft prospects, despite an outstanding 2014 campaign in the VFL.

VFL football Frankston v Collingwood at Frankston. Frankston defender Nick Newman wins the ball.

IF history is anything to go by, Nic Newman deserves to have high hopes for being drafted onto an AFL club’s list in a fortnight.

However the Frankston young gun is remaining realistic and modest about his prospects, despite an outstanding 2014 campaign in the VFL.

Newman won the Fothergill Round Medal as the league’s most promising young talent aged 23 and under this season, averaging 23 disposals and seven marks from 17 games.

The exciting realisation for Newman, 21, is that nine of the medal’s past 12 winners have been drafted by AFL clubs, including Michael Hibberd, Michael Barlow and Michael Firrito.

PICK ME: RICHMOND RED-HOT ON DUGGAN

And if a club selects Newman, he’d also join a growing list of recent Frankston draftees, including Hibberd, Sam Lloyd and Mark Baguley.

The classy Dolphins left-footer admitted he has attracted interest from a few AFL clubs during the post-season, but said “you can never get your hopes up too much”.

“At the end of the day, if I don’t go then I want to be ready to have a big year next year in the VFL,” he told SEN.

Nic Newman averaged 23 disposals in the VFL in 2014. Picture: Chris Eastman

“While I’ve spoken to a few clubs, and I’ll be sitting down on the 27th hoping like all hell that I get a go, if it doesn’t happen I’ll still be happy with where I’ve come from — last year not really playing any seniors in the VFL. For me, this year is a success, no matter what happens on the 27th.

“It would be awesome to get that opportunity, but I’ll just have to wait and see.”

Newman, a former Dandenong Stringrays player, was overlooked by recruiters as a 17 and 18-year-old before continuing in the TAC Cup as a 19-year-old.

After managing just three senior games for Frankston in 2013, he strongly considered a return to local footy. But he gritted his teeth and embarked on a demanding pre-season, which helped him develop into one of the competition’s best defenders.

Newman recently received further recognition for his consistent season, selected to play in a VFL side that will take on Ireland in a warm-up International Rules match this Sunday at Sandringham.

The VFL side had its first training session on Tuesday night where Newman discovered how difficult it is to kick a round ball.

“They (the Irish) are pretty good at hitting their targets, but with the round ball it’s not as easy for us. The running game is going to be more our go — run and handball rather than pinpoint any passes,” he said.

Originally published as Nic Newman modest about AFL draft chances despite outstanding VFL season for Frankston