Michael Newton

[Redleg 40,220]

+ pot ??

The Parma in Kings Way is apparently the best parma in Melbourne.

[howlongtowait 0]

In my opinion, he is an excellent VFL player unable to make the transition to AFL. In the long run, Peter German would be happy to keep him at Casey, because he averages 2-4 goals per game.

Sorry he is just an above average VFL player unable to make it to AFL. How many time do you see him kick a point 30 meters out directly in front? IMO he is just the perfect forward for us in the last three rounds.

[LITTLE STINGA 1]

What other forward options did the footy dept staff have at the time they signed him?

I doubt with a fully fit list next year that Newton will hold his position.

Do you understand the implications of paying a player out?? Clearly not.

Unless its a Carroll situation, I cannot see MFC paying any further contracts out.

What are they? We are paying barely the minimum in the salary cap so we must have room to move and he would be getting close to minimum payments considering he has done nothing. Carroll was the worst situatition you could get cause he would have been on a fair bit of money cause he was close to All Australian honours when he signed the contract. Newton and any other player who has done nothing would be on close to the minimum contract.

[1858 285]

From the first moment I watched him play at senior level he just looked lost, slow and completely out of it. He has tried to improve I guess and tackling has definitely been one area but even that seems to be more reactive play than attacking play. He just isn't geared for AFL IMO and when he misses goals from 10 meters out on a decent angle then that just rubs salt into the wound.

[Longsufferingnomore 1,620]

From the first moment I watched him play at senior level he just looked lost, slow and completely out of it. He has tried to improve I guess and tackling has definitely been one area but even that seems to be more reactive play than attacking play. He just isn't geared for AFL IMO and when he misses goals from 10 meters out on a decent angle then that just rubs salt into the wound.

I had to laugh when I saw that Newton was one of the players that Melbourne supporters blame for their losses (Age today). He is the reason.

[rpfc 28,052]

I'm with you Prama

But you don't rate Bate, so Newton must be an effing good tackler.

People should realise that when your only argument for a KPF is their tackling, that you should stop with the thought right there and then.

Newton doesn't meet the footy in the air, watch Jurrah on Sunday and he will show you a number of things that Newton doesn't or can't do.

And BTW, Newton is a lightweight, figuratively and literally.

Unless he had OP in his shoulders, he should be bigger and stronger than he is.

He has one year left, and unless he comes back from PS training shredded he will spend 2010 at Casey and move on at the end of the year.

[flog 20]

The Parma in Kings Way is apparently the best parma in Melbourne.

My god, have you been to the albion(i have spelt that wrong) in port melbourne. The parmas there need to be seen to be belived. They run a comp to see if you can eat two at one time. My god is all i can say

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

I agree with the opening post...

He's basically Aaron Edwards mark II. Showing potential but frustrating. He'll get axed, go to the VFL where he'll kick 80-100, then get picked up by a club desperate for a depth tall. He'll never be the reason you'll win a flag.

The reason people come on here and give him a hard time is because that's what this forum has degenerated into. Just a place the malcontents come to complain and get their rocks off. There are posters who ONLY come on here to complain about a player, or disagree with other posters. Seriously, THAT'S IT.

Newton's no different from any other middle of the road KP forward. And he's probably going to be here for the next 22 rounds. God forbid he does something good next season, the bitchy little girls over here will have to find someone else to hate.

[gOLLy 401]

But you don't rate Bate, so Newton must be an effing good tackler.

People should realise that when your only argument for a KPF is their tackling, that you should stop with the thought right there and then.

Newton doesn't meet the footy in the air, watch Jurrah on Sunday and he will show you a number of things that Newton doesn't or can't do.

And BTW, Newton is a lightweight, figuratively and literally.

Unless he had OP in his shoulders, he should be bigger and stronger than he is.

He has one year left, and unless he comes back from PS training shredded he will spend 2010 at Casey and move on at the end of the year.

I don't rate either but both should be given next year.... make or break.

Edited August 14, 2009 by gOLLy

[Steamin Demon 392]

I dont understand the NEWTON bashing that continues, people say he has no forward pressure, he is top 5 in forward tackles in the league this year when he has played.

He would make an ideal 2nd marking forward. I think everyone expects him to be the next Johnathon BROWN.

The critisism he recieves by so called supporters is uncalled for.

I know in the past he has lacked 2nd efforts up forward but he has worked on it, and if you weren't so negative towards him you would see this.

Not only will he not be traded or delisted this year but he will play round one next year barring injury.

Please band with me and get behind Newts.

I used to get really upset with Newton, I used to abuse him, call for his head because I thought he was a real talent. Now I reliase he is simply not the player I thought he was, So now I just sit back and try to encourage him because he does really try he just simply doesn't have the talent. In his defence he has played only a handful of senior games with no real extended run in the seniors, So I believe for a guy with a year still to run on his contract, Just leave him in the forward line and lets find out once and for all if the kid can play (He is only 21)

In the words of my dad that I hear every weekend at the footy 'He is just not a footballer'

[Doggo 32]

He's basically Aaron Edwards mark II. Showing potential but frustrating. He'll get axed, go to the VFL where he'll kick 80-100, then get picked up by a club desperate for a depth tall.

Aaron Edwards kicked 100.50 from 18 games, and won the VFL Liston medal the year prior to being drafted to the Roos, for his 2nd crack at AFL (after 2 seasons previously with WCE). He also kicked bags of 10 goals more than once. I'm not saying he's a great player or anything, but that in itself is more than Newton has ever done at that level. Edwards and Newton are different in my books. Edwards is a sublimely talented player who suffers from the lack of dedication, work ethic and attitude required to make it at AFL level. Newton is similar, but minus the talent.

If Juice goes on to kick 100 goals in a season at VFL level when his AFL career is over, i'll eat my hat. He's a good, probably better than average VFL player, but i doubt he has the skill or capacity to kick more than 60-70 goals in a season, even at that level. His accuracy % is just too flaky. He's more likely to kick 75.75 from 150 shots at goal than 100+.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

What are they? We are paying barely the minimum in the salary cap so we must have room to move and he would be getting close to minimum payments considering he has done nothing. Carroll was the worst situatition you could get cause he would have been on a fair bit of money cause he was close to All Australian honours when he signed the contract. Newton and any other player who has done nothing would be on close to the minimum contract.

Its not just about the $$$.

By dumping a player and paying out his contract and killihng his AFL career, how do you think vthat sits with players, player managers, sponsors and AFL who provide special funding if a Club keeps flip flopping on its commitment to players. Raises a question on the competence of the foott dept

No. Carroll was a serial trouble maker, a culture sore and a problem with the other players and a definite out. No issues there in that extreme case.

[Doggo 32]

We as a club have been urging members and supporters help eradicate our debt by donating to the club. We're running a massive debt-demolition campaign, for the 2nd year in a row, so we're pretty much cash-strapped enough as it is. Paying out players instead of just honouring their contracts is basically wasting money.

[Carlos Danger 380]

He's worth keeping, great at VFL level but yet to find his feet in the AFL. He's 22, so he is worth the risk. I got this feeling that when he comes good and plays the footy he's capable of, it will be well worth the wait.

[titan_uranus 24,631]

What are they? We are paying barely the minimum in the salary cap so we must have room to move and he would be getting close to minimum payments considering he has done nothing. Carroll was the worst situatition you could get cause he would have been on a fair bit of money cause he was close to All Australian honours when he signed the contract. Newton and any other player who has done nothing would be on close to the minimum contract.

The problem with paying him out, Brockstar, is that we are effectively flushing money down the toilet, and we just can't afford to do that. Carroll was an exceptional circumstance. He was detrimental to the club and the players around him. Newton is just a dud player, not a dud influence.

Unfortunately for us, we made the mistake this time last year of believing he could improve. It has turned out that he can't, and most likely won't, but our misjudgement means he gets another year to try.

[sue 9,018]

I dont understand the NEWTON bashing that continues,

Recall the passionate calls for him to be brought into the team. So much was based on desperation for a forward and hoping he was the messiah. I think the bashing is partly the result of frustrated expectations. Don't know if he would have had as much stick if he had come into the team without the messiah mantle and performed as badly.

Edited August 15, 2009 by sue

[LITTLE STINGA 1]

Its not just about the $$$.

By dumping a player and paying out his contract and killihng his AFL career, how do you think vthat sits with players, player managers, sponsors and AFL who provide special funding if a Club keeps flip flopping on its commitment to players. Raises a question on the competence of the foott dept

I would have thought keeping players like Newton would raise questions on the competence of the football department.

[Scully The Tank Engine 0]

Newton's a good VFL player who simply does not measure up to AFL standard. Fairly straightforward summation i would've thought....

[rpfc 28,052]

I don't rate either but both should be given next year.... make or break.

Have a good look.

Bate is making it.

2009 is not 2008. Facts change. People hopefully know that opinions can change when the facts change.

The facts are these - Matthew Bate is a good player for the MFC, will kick the most goals, have the most assists, and finish in the top 10 in the Bluey.

And he did that with the worst delivery in the league and with the least opportunities.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I would have thought keeping players like Newton would raise questions on the competence of the football department.

He has a contract and is unlikely to raise a trade deal.

It will only raise questions amongst those that think you can delist on current form and not contract length.

While I thought the signing of Newton for 2 years was surprising it was done at a time when MFC were truly bereft of forwards and he was a "chance".

There is a alot more that goes into list management and contract negotiations that you realise.

[Tatu 416]

newton would be alright if he could kick.

we really need a full forward who can kick goals from anywhere within 60m.

[Swampfox 190]

newton would be alright if he could kick.

we really need a full forward who can kick goals from anywhere within 60m.

So does 15 other clubs

[Swampfox 190]

IMO Newton has more flaws in his game than kicking for goal

The only kick in our game that requires more mental strength than any other is kicking for goal

The kick itself is rather simple techniquewise as it can be duplicated in practice many times over as their is nobody other than yourself influencing the result (cant be tackled)

Not sure who our goal kicking tutor is but whoever it is he sure isnt getting though to Newton ..........and others

The tendency to teach the physical rather than the mental seems to be obvious at Melbourne when kicking for Goal

[beelzebub 23,200]

IMO Newton has more flaws in his game than kicking for goal

The only kick in our game that requires more mental strength than any other is kicking for goal

The kick itself is rather simple techniquewise as it can be duplicated in practice many times over as their is nobody other than yourself influencing the result (cant be tackled)

Not sure who our goal kicking tutor is but whoever it is he sure isnt getting though to Newton ..........and others

The tendency to teach the physical rather than the mental seems to be obvious at Melbourne when kicking for Goal

As a kid I was extremely fortunate to have a few seesions with that legend PH ( wees and poos ) .. what he imparted WAS that its 99% in your head. You need to think goals through...even the quick snaps etc.. they have to be invented from your mind, even your audacity. You can either kick or you cant.. Some styles are a bit strange ..even Huddos wasnt perfect.. but he had the mind set. I carried that thinking all through my terribly mediocre career..lol. But the point is ..I dont think Newton has it. He doesnt "GET IT "..mind you hes not alone... many forwards dont. Thing is..we (I) really dont want players up the pointy end who dont know what they are doing.. it just squanders all the hard work the rest of the team do..doesnt it.

[Akum 2,660]

As a kid I was extremely fortunate to have a few seesions with that legend PH ( wees and poos ) .. what he imparted WAS that its 99% in your head. You need to think goals through...even the quick snaps etc.. they have to be invented from your mind, even your audacity. You can either kick or you cant.. Some styles are a bit strange ..even Huddos wasnt perfect.. but he had the mind set. I carried that thinking all through my terribly mediocre career..lol. But the point is ..I dont think Newton has it. He doesnt "GET IT "..mind you hes not alone... many forwards dont. Thing is..we (I) really dont want players up the pointy end who dont know what they are doing.. it just squanders all the hard work the rest of the team do..doesnt it.

If Newton could kick straight, all his other faults wouldn't matter. If he could kick straight and average 3 goals a game, then even if he only got it 5 times a game, that's 60-70 goals in a full season.

Having said that, there are 3 things about Newton that bother me:

(1) The fact that his worst is truly terrible - if he was average to good in most games, there's a place for him.

(2) It must be heartbreaking for the players downfield to have to fight so hard to get it to him in a good position, only to see him fluff the easy shot.

(3) The impression* I get is that when Newton's out the team seems to kick straight; when he's in, the whole team seems to be inaccurate. Maybe this is just an impression built up over the past few weeks, but certainly in a few of the earlier games this season, it was only our accuracy that stopped us getting flogged. If kicking for goals is "99% in your head", and who could be better qualified to state this than PH, could one forward repeatedly missing sitters "infect" others?

* (and I'm fully aware that this "impression" may not withstand scrutiny!)

The good news is that it's only Newton himself who can fix this, and he's got one more season to do it. In 2010 it will no longer be a matter of "will he be good enough one day?", he will have to produce the goods. There's definitely a place there for him if he can do it, and all he really needs to do is fix his kicking for goal.

Edited August 17, 2009 by Akum