VFL 2019: Josh Newman leading from the front for Frankston Dolphins

Josh Newman soured on footy after Frankston went into administration and lost its VFL licence, but an illness on an overseas trip sparked a change of heart.

Josh Newman on the burst for the Dolphins this season. Picture: Getty Images

As he headed overseas with two mates last year, Josh Newman was unsure if he would return to the VFL.

He’d had a good go at it, winning Frankston’s best and fairest in 2016 and crossing to Williamstown in 2017 after the Dolphins went into administration.

Newman and his pals set off for south and central America early last year. As they did, he was giving little thought to football.

Then it happened. During his trip, he became ill after visiting the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, the high altitude flattening him like a shirt-front.

As he rested in a hostel “in the middle of nowhere’’, he got thinking about the Dolphins and their return season. Reaching for his mobile phone, he tuned in to a livestream of one of their matches.

He saw it was a beautiful day for football. Frankston was winning. And immediately he wished he was back there in Melbourne, playing for the Dolphins and being part of that victory.

“It was exciting … that sort of sparked something in me about going back,’’ he said. “I wanted to be part of it again.’’

Frankston captain Josh Newman with coach Danny Ryan.

Newman continued to enjoy his holiday, but he knew he’d be back at the Dolphins in 2019.

What he didn’t know was that he would return as captain.

What others know from his performances this season is that he remains a classy and combative player, as Port Melbourne board man Les Quarrell noted in a conversation with Leader a couple of weeks ago.

Quarrell is a good judge of a footballer. He thinks Newman is a star.

The right-footer advertised as much in 2016 when he won Frankston’s best and fairest, showing he was some chance to follow his brother Nic, who had been drafted by the Sydney Swans, into the AFL.

Swamped by financial problems, the Dolphins lost their VFL licence and a squad that Newman thought promising was broken up.

“It was such a shame. We hadn’t had a lot of success but we were always such a great bunch of mates and there was a real community feel to the club,’’ he said.

“The bond among teammates made it a special place.

“I didn’t realise how much it meant to me until I took time away from footy.’’

Josh Newman on the run against Richmond. Pic: Matt Walker Photography

As the administrator went through Frankston’s books, Newman and a few other Dolphins set out for Williamstown.

He played 18 games for the Towners in 2017 and more than once coach Andy Collins promoted him as a draft candidate.

When nothing eventuated, he decided to take a spell from football and put his passport to work.

“Just wanted to take a year off footy and a year off work and explore the other side of the world and have a bit of a surfing trip with mates and get my head out of footy,’’ Newman, 24, said.

“In all honesty when I left I wasn’t sure if I’d go back to VFL footy. I thought I needed to switch off and see how I responded to it. But I sort of came to realise I needed to make the most of my opportunity to play at that level and see where I could take it.’’

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When Newman presented for pre-season training ahead of 2019, he knew few of the other players.

In fact, only Blake Mullane remained from the 2016 squad. He was welcomed “with open arms’’, he said, “and it wasn’t a hard transition back because I could see they were a great bunch of young blokes’’.

And the players could see in Newman experience and leadership. They voted him captain.

“That was a surprise … I was just trying to put my best foot forward and train hard,’’ he said. “Ultimately the boys wanted me to do it … that was humbling. I’m just trying to enjoy the experience and run with it.’’

Josh Newman in the Williamstown jumper in 2017.

Under the new skipper Frankston lost its first nine games of the season. Newman must have wondered if the Dolphins could achieve more than the two wins they scrapped out in 2016.

But there had been signs of better things to come; Frankston boldy went stride for stride with Port Melbourne in Round 10, only to fade in the second half. Port coach Gary Ayres suggested the Dolphins were getting close to four points.

Last Sunday they produced four quarters and put the Kangaroos on the skillet, winning by 50 points to end a 20-game losing streak.

“I think we were all pretty pleased to play the footy we’re capable of,’’ Newman said. “With such a young group, a bit of belief will go a long way and hopefully we can get a few more wins before the end of the season.’’

The captain has made a move into the midfield in the past two rounds and had 34 possessions against Port and 21 and kicked two goals against North Melbourne.

It’s different from dashing off half back. But he sees the possibility of having more of an impact on matches.

Twelve months ago Newman was unsure if he would play on in the VFL. It’s a sure thing Frankston is happy to have him back.