Key Wanderers defender Brodie Newman brings a whole new perspective to Rising Star

First year Wanderers defender Brodie Newman wins the Round 6 nomination for the NT News Rising Star

Brodie Newman clears for Wanderers in their win over the Tiwi Bombers. Picture: Chris Kent AFLNT/Media

WANDERERS defender Brodie Newman has brought a lot of football pedigree to the NTFL competition since his Round 1 debut for the Eagles.

So it was no surprise to see him claim the Round 6 nomination for the NT News Rising Star for his 25-possession game against the Tiwi Bombers last week.

Only 19, Newman captained the Calder Cannons in the NAB League competition in 2019 and played for Vic Metro at the national under-18 championships before signing with VFL club Werribee in a season that was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newman, a big marking, hard running defender with superb disposal skills, was headed for rival club and reigning NTFL premier Nightcliff this season when he was ambushed by Wanderers teammate Josh Cubillo.

Both men were at a Darwin quarantine centre waiting for the green light from Darwin health authorities after arriving from Melbourne.

“My housemate Dane McFarlane was heading up to the NT to play for Wanderers and I had arranged to live with him, but play for Nightcliff,’’ Newman said.

“We were in quarantine when a good friend of mine back home in Josh Cubillo where we played local footy together (at Aberfeldie in the Essendon Districts League), asked me what I was doing up here.

“He told me then and there he was going to get me to Wanderers and after I thought about it for a day and a bit I got in contract with their president Jerome (Cubillo) and it’s been happy days ever since.’’

Newman has told Wanderers he will be here for the whole season, be that until the end of the minor rounds, in the middle of the finals or after grand final day.

“Werribee have been quite understanding about it and I’m happy to play out a full season with the Wanderers,’’ he said.