2008 Player Review - #29 Michael Newton

[Demonland 72,217]

29. Michael Newton [193cm 90kg 27.04.87 - 18 games (6 in 2008) 23 goals (9 in 2008)]– after an encouraging debut season in 2007, Newton's career headed south in 2008 due to a combination of injury, loss of form and what appeared to be a lack of confidence in his own ability.

The tall forward has shown some glimpses of prodigious talent in the past but he needs to start producing the goods if he is to make it in AFL football.

[deeboy 40]

Rivers is #27. Newton is #29.

[Demonland 72,217]

Rivers is #27. Newton is #29.

As I said - "big weekend"!

[waynewussell 5,763]

After obvious highlights in 2007, I kept hoping for more of the same in 2008 only to be disappointed. Rarely held on to the contested grabs he went for, not quick and seemingly one-dimensional. I was impressed with some of his second and third efforts but they rarely led to us getting possession of the ball. I'm over him!

[deeflog 679]

his latest contract has to be his last chance, if he does not fire in the next 2 years he will be delisted

[Nasher 33,616]

I'm stunned he was given two. I would've thought one would have been more appropriate.

[grazman 7,436]

I'm stunned he was given two. I would've thought one would have been more appropriate.

I would've traded him.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

I would've traded him.

Me too. The Bulldogs are crying out for a key forward. They would have taken him. If they didn't, someone else would have.

Can't believe we signed up this hack for another 2 years.

[LeBron James 41]

He's not a hack, his only 21 FFS. Especially considering we never get the ball in the forward line...

Will be interesting to see how he goes in the next 2 years. Definately make or break.

[Whispering_Jack 30,193]

For a while I was one of those who thought that Juice might be the next big thing as a KPP forward at Melbourne but obviously a few things have gone wrong in the past couple of seasons.

Around mid 2006 when he was breaking into the Sandringham seniors after kicking a few bags in their reserves, I was in a group that was near Chris Fagan at the end of a game and he remarked to us that he would be a good player when he put on a few kilograms. The following season under our new fitness guru BB, Newton came out a few kg's lighter not heavier and it took him a long time to get his act together. He was finally selected to make his debut in Neale Daniher's last game.

I notice that he's listed above at 90kg but wouldn't be surprised if the figure's a bit less than that following his injuries this year. In any event, when he did get games with us, he was all too easily brushed aside.

Meanwhile, a couple of KPP's who played in yesetrday's premiership team (where Fages now has a gig) in Franklin and Roughead are listed at 101kg's. Nobody pushes them around and between them, they scored nearly as many goals as the entire Melbourne team did for the season.

I'm not an expert in human physiology or whatever but if Juice comes back looking as light as ever when the NAB Cup starts I'd say his chances of making it are no good.

Alternatively, if there's a chance that we can trade him notwithstanding the fact that we renewed his contract, we would have to look long and hard at that possibility.

[beelzebub 23,378]

Either he fulfills our faith or we move him on.

This lad is seriously trying my patience...and I think he can play.. But does he really WANT to ?? I wonder sometimes !!

Stick him up for trade.....all offers considered !!

[dazzledavey36 54,948]

feed him that new hungry jack burger the quard stack!