Shepp News |
Pre-interleague speculation about whether his form warranted Goulburn Valley selection was the impetus for Kyabram forward Paul Newman’s scintillating form.
Newman, who turns 30 this month, had a relatively slow start to his Goulburn Valley Football League campaign — and critics noticed.
Goulburn Valley interleague coach Travis Ryan not only selected him, but made him captain for the fourth straight year.
Newman responded with five goals in a best-on-ground performance that gave Goulburn Valley a fighting chance against Geelong.
‘‘The GV game was really good for me,’’ Newman said.
‘‘That (criticism of my form) got my back up a little bit and I still think I’ve got a bit to offer in that team.
‘‘I’m very passionate about interleague footy and I wanted to contribute the best I could. From there, my confidence went up.’’
Newman then kicked three goals in a low-scoring contest against Shepparton Swans before a string of largely unstoppable performances.
He has been a match-winner in four straight games, starting with six goals at Mooroopna’s expense, four against Benalla, six opposed to Seymour and 10 in the Bombers’ 37-point success over Shepparton United on Sunday.
United defenders Tim Looby and Phil Carroll both spent time on Newman, while Brad Henderson tried to drop in front of him.
An unperturbed Newman used Henderson as a stepladder to mark then slot his seventh major.
Newman’s efforts have been all the more amazing considering he is battling osteitis pubis.
He sat with big bags of ice on both his groins as he spoke to The News post-game on Sunday.
‘‘I feel like I’ve been in pretty good nick the last few weeks — barring the OP, obviously — but I feel like my hands are going and I’ve had plenty of shots on goal,’’ he said.
‘‘I probably just haven’t executed in front of goal. I was able to put it through the big sticks today.’’
Kyabram coach David Williams revealed after the Cats victory club officials called it ‘‘Paulo Time’’ when Newman turned it on in games.
Newman said the phrase was ‘‘embarrassing’’ — all the while sporting a wry grin — and forwards were only as good as the midfielders kicking it to them.
He withdrew from Victoria Country contention due to his injury and may not return until the Bombers’ round 14 clash with Euroa on July 27.
‘‘I’m going on a course of medication and it will restrict me for the next three or four weeks, so there will probably be very little footy — if any,’’ Newman said.
‘‘Hopefully, I’ll come back for the Euroa game and, hopefully, I can shake this little bit of OP and enjoy the back half of the season.’’
Williams and Demons coach Marc Quarrell both praised Newman’s outstanding performance.