Brodie Newman using COVID-19 lockdown to improve game after being overlooked at last year’s draft
Werribee recruit Brodie Newman was overlooked at last year’s draft but with a more mature body and proven intercept-marking ability he looms as an intriguing option for AFL recruiters.
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Werribee recruit Brodie Newman has no doubt he’s better prepared for the AFL now than when he was overlooked last year.
Under the tutelage of Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams, the 193cm, 91kg key defender was excited to prove his worth with the Tigers this season before the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the VFL season.
While the 2020 crop of draft hopefuls have been robbed of the chance to showcase their wares, Newman’s mature body and intercept-marking ability could appeal to AFL recruiters.
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“With everything that’s going on this year, I believe I’m still in a good position to be drafted,” Newman said.
“I’ve stayed ready during the isolation period and I was looking forward to adding to that with a few games at Werribee, sadly that won’t happen now.
“I got a few bits of feedback (after the draft).
“My ball use was one I identified as something to work on and Choco (Williams) has been great, he puts a lot of emphasis on ball use.
“My agility and being able to move around on the ground is something I’ve been working on as well.”
Newman hardly missed a NAB League game over two seasons and captained the Cannons last year, while making two appearances for Vic Metro.
In 13 NAB League games last season, he averaged 20 touches and six marks, highlighted by a 36-disposal, 17-mark performance against Western Jets.
A Werribee pre-season and pandemic lockdown has allowed Newman to address his weaknesses.
“I played nearly every game at under-18 level as a bottom-ager and top-ager, so hopefully that counts for something,” he said.
“I was a year out of school last year, I had more time to work on my body and refine my game and it’s the same this year.
“I enjoyed pre-season immensely. I didn’t know what to expect at first so I went in there trying to be a sponge and soak up everything.
“I’ve put on a bit of weight and honed in on a few things that I need to work on like my running, which I’ve really enjoyed.”
Reaching the AFL is still the goal but the lockdown has also allowed Newman to focus on his university work.
The 19-year-old is in his second year of a finance and economics degree at RMIT, while also working casually as a builder’s labourer.
If an AFL team doesn’t come calling, success at Werribee is high on Newman’s to-do list in 2021.
“(The lockdown) has given me time to focus on my uni actually, which I’m passionate about and really enjoy, so it’s not all bad,” he said.
“On the footy front, it will make everybody a bit hungrier as well.
“Werribee made the semi-final last year and we were really hoping to build on that and were confident we’d put a side together that could make a charge.
“I think 2021 will be a year we’ll come out hungry, leave no stone unturned and as a young player I’m really looking forward to that.”