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JACK Newnes is nearing the end of his fourth AFL pre-season, but already he has made enough of an impression to be included in St Kilda’s leadership group.
The 21-year-old is the youngest member of the seven-man group that will be led once again by Nick Riewoldt, but his relative inexperience won’t stop Newnes from delivering honest feedback to fellow teammates.
“I’m comfortable about having to challenge any of the guys, even the older ones, if that’s what’s needed,” Newnes told The Herald Sun after Tuesday’s announcement.
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“The thing about our leadership group is with Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna or Sean Dempster, you know what you’re going to get. They’re going to perform and they’re always going to drive others to perform. But they want the rest of us to take it on as well.
“Richo said he wanted to get me in there (the leadership group) and I was pretty keen to take it on. So it’s a good challenge and I’m pretty excited about getting into the thick of things and driving it through.”
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Newnes was selected with pick 37 in the 2011 National Draft and has since made steady progression every season underlined by great durability and a reliable right foot.
Last year he was one of just four Saints to play every game, averaging 20 disposals per outing and finishing sixth in the Trevor Barker Award.
While primarily a wingman and half-back across his first 47 league game, breaking into the engine room shapes as the next frontier for Newnes to conquer.
“I’ve worked a lot with the (midfield) coaches and I know all of the plays and the structure, so it’s pretty much about execution,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who will roll through there this season — which all of the good teams have — but a few of our young guys will get a look in.”
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It’s no secret that Newnes enjoyed a breakout season in 2014, but it’s more than just his pure footballing ability that impressed his coach in what was a trying year from a team perspective.
“When things at times were quite challenging as a young man he was able to step up and really lead,” Richardson said.
“He’s also able to give really strong feedback when it’s required.”
Late last year, Newnes was one of 19 Saints to re-commit to a St Kilda future, signing on until the end of 2017.
