Leigh Newton | Demonwiki (original) (raw)

DOB: 25 March <1976>

Debut: Round 3, 1997 against at
Last Game: Round 20, 1997 against West Coast at

From: King Valley/Murray U18/Albury, Selection #3 1997 Pre-Season Draft

Number: 14 (1997)

Games: 13
Goals: 6
Career Statistics

'Juice' Newton missed selection in the 1997 National Draft, despite winning the Best and Fairest award in the Ovens & Murray League, where he had first played seniors aged 15. He was invited to train with the Demons after a tip-off from the uncle of then-assistant coach Greg Hutchison, who had seen him play in Albury. After impressing with his fitness over summer, Melbourne took him with their first pick in the Pre-Season Draft.

Newton debuted early in Melbourne's horror <1997> season, goalling with his first kick. He played 13 games before a season-ending injury in Round 20. He continued to be troubled by injury, missing all of <1998>. He played in May, but Osteitis Pubis consistently flared, and he never played another senior game. He appeared in <1999> practice matches and kicked four goals in a game before a hernia operation cost him another month. On his return, Newton suffered a season-ending shoulder injury and was delisted at the end of <1999>.

Newton later worked at the club in a number of administrative and coaching roles including seven years as media manager, and as ruck coach in <2008>. He crossed to Hawthorn as ruck coach in <2009>, also playing in an Ovens & Murray League premiership for Milawa that year. Later worked in the racing industry.

Lists
Coaching staff
Goal with their first kick
Interstate recruits

Notes
Some sources show his first club as Whouroly. Age 19/02/1997 says he played for Whitfield.

Media
Age - 19/02/1997, 11/05/1999
Footy Almanac - 11/06/2020

Links
Australian Rules Football Wiki profile
Demonwiki image gallery
Draftguru profile
Wikipedia profile