Up Kyabram way, Paul Newman continues to turn heads with a rich burst of form which is fuelling Kyabram’s irresistible drive towards power status in the Goulburn Valley League. From second last to finalists last year under first-year coach David Williams, the Bombers are continuing to gather momentum with five straight wins and a rare top four berth.
Newman has been a catalyst in the rise with an average of five goals a game since being moved from centre half-forward into the goalmouth. He kicked 10 at Echuca two rounds ago and in the interleague game against the Ovens and Murray booted seven, underlining his class.
A comfortable win against the Shepparton Swans at the weekend sees Kyabram with seven wins and two losses, just a game behind ladder leaders and reigning premiers Rochester.
‘We have played all the top sides, too, including Rochie who we beat by four goals, so we’re looking forward to continuing our run against some of the sides below us in the next weeks,” he said. “While we have a top six, the teams which finish one or two have the best chance (at making it through to Grand Final day) and we’d love to be one of those.”
Under the astute mentoring of Williams – a former Melbourne defender – Kyabram has a young, improving list and Newman says the athleticism and passion of the youngsters is drawing everyone along.
He and captain Josh Vick are the team’s two “book-ends”, Vick playing well at full-back and Newman the competition star at full-forward.
Others also in particularly good form in the opening two months of the season have been Chris Atkins, Scott Beattie and Lincoln Withers, who was best afield last weekend against the Swans.
Newman says “the high” so far this season “was definitely beating Rochie at Rochie” and the low, going down to Mooroopna. “It was easily our worst game,” he said. “We also lost to Tatura but that was a very wet day and things can happen like that every now and again especially in conditions like that.”
An insurance broker Monday to Friday, Newman loves his involvement with the football and cricket clubs. He is a former Kyabram & District Country Week captain. His brother, David, represents Dandenong and has also represented the Victorian second XI.
In 2003, Newman was rookie listed to Melbourne and played all but one game at VFL level with Sandringham before being dropped for the Grand Final.
“The (senior) team lost the elimination final and three or four came back to Sandy. I was one to miss out,” he said.
Newman said he would have remained and tried to make the senior list in 2004, but Melbourne preferred others, and rather than another season of VFL, he returned home to play with his mates.
He and his wife Elarna are expecting their first child in October. Newman would love to make it a double celebration with Kyabram going all the way and also winning the Grand Final. “That would be perfect,” he said.
By Ken Piesse
Article first published 17 June, 2009
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