“IN A new role for him, it’s been awesome to see… he’s doing a great job for us.”
At the end of 2025, Nic Newman said that a personal milestone he wanted to tick off was playing an AFL game alongside a young teammate he had developed a close relationship with.
It was in 2023 when Matthew Carroll was drafted to his boyhood club, but a groin injury in his first season sidelined him for the entirety of his debut campaign of 2024.
He was even delisted from the Blues at the conclusion of his initial rookie deal, but was invited back for pre-season training to get his body right and give himself the chance to get back on the list.
Carroll did exactly that and was re-signed on 31 January 2025... 14 days after a ruptured patella tendon ruled out Newman’s season.
The last month has finally seen the two left footers in the same Carlton team, with Carroll’s outstanding personal form on the wing complemented by Newman’s long-awaited return in Round 4.
“It’s been awesome. We’ve been at the Club for three years together, and we only just played a game together a month ago,” Newman told Carlton Media on Saturday night.
“It’s been great to run out with him, to see his growth… he’s been a real shining light for us.”
After 17 games last year which started with an AFL debut and ended in a Rising Star nomination, Carroll has gone from strength to strength in 2026.
Taking on a new role on the wing, Carroll returned to the fold against Richmond after injury sidelined him in Opening Round and has been one of the Blues’ most consistent performers, solidified by a career-best 21 disposals against a top-four side in Fremantle.
Considering that performance was just his 23rd senior game, Newman is keen to see where Carroll can continue to take his game.
“He started at half-back, but the way he’s been able to transition to the wing has been super.
“He’s 20 years old and playing some unbelievable footy for such a young kid on the wing. He’s doing a great job for us.”
