AS HUMBLE as ever, defender Nic Newman was last week crowned the Best Clubman at the 2022 John Nicholls Medal, taking home the award for the second time in three years.

“I’m obviously not one that likes to pump my own tyres up too much but it is something that I’m really proud of,” Newman said.

“It’s always nice to get a bit of recognition for some of the work you do, and it’s nice to know I’m having an impact around the Club.”

A deserving winner of the award, Newman was acknowledged by his peers throughout the football department for his role in moving the Club forward from a culture perspective over the last 12 months.

“Coming over to a new club from Sydney and being here four years, it’s something that I’m sure as I get older I’ll be even more proud of. 

“I pride myself on being able to give to others on and off the field, so it’s a bit of recognition in that area.”

In stark contrast from the previous occasion he received the award, which was a season that was personally marred by injury, Newman was able to string 19 consecutive games together in 2022 to have an impact both on the field as well as off it.

“The last time I won it, I delved a fair bit into coaching and got around the group because I couldn’t have an impact on the field,” he said.

“I felt like this year was a nice balance of having an impact on field as well as off field.”

Missing the final three games of the home-and-away season due to a lacerated knee, while Newman struggled watching on at the pointy end of the season, he was pleased with the overall campaign he was able to construct. 

“It was a disappointing end for me and the group – it was pretty tough viewing, not being able to contribute in those last few games but I was really pleased with my first 19.

“I thought I played my role and was able to help the team as much as I could. I was really loving my footy and able to enjoy it before that injury.”

With the AFL season done and dusted, Newman can now return to his passion for coaching, having an impact across both AFL and AFLW programs for the second season in a row.

 “I was heavily involved with the AFLW last season, but obviously with the season being brought forward with our AFL season I couldn’t do that: I was really keen to stay involved as a development coach.

"I love the group and the environment they have – I was really keen to stay involved and once our season finished, I jumped back into it.”