Injury Blue Healers Discussion - 2025

[CCurnow3votes]

I really like Newman, but our second best player???

He’s top 10 without a doubt.

Has a habit of positioning himself defensively in the right place at the right time.

Offensively - we have other options if we consider our mix.

Saad could be used at HBF rather than defensively deeper.

Doch is an AA standard HBF.

Do we use Boyd deep or open up Cowan to the HBF.

Lots of options.

 

[GT619]

now la trobe has cursed us

 

[Tjblues]

Totally and utterly cursed just a question is it anything to do with Ikon Park turf

Seen a few people post similar thoughts so thought I would add some info.

Firstly, training is and has been at Latrobe Bundoora since early December, and the surface is terrific.

Secondly, a patellar tendon rupture isn’t really a hyper extension (acl) type mechanism. Usually it’ll be one of 2 things that has happened: Either landing from a jump with knees bent, where it’ll pop, or forceful impact to the front of the knee ie driven to the ground in a tackle.

TLDR: without having seen the incident it’s almost certainly down to bad luck and not the surface/any type of training method

 

[haveago]

Oof, this one hurts...

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So much.......losing our last two seasons runner up B and F is going to hurt big time.

Huge loss!!!!!

I know it opens up an opportunity for somebody but we will be weakened by this no doubt.

JUST SHOCKING and yes it could be the end for Newy sadly. I read a quote from him last year
saying he was not sure if he was up for another preseason and retirement was on his mind.

 

[haveago]

How many other 20+ possession, midsize, great defending and elite ball using players do we have?

Technically everyone can be covered, but it doesn’t change the fact that it will be a monumental downgrade.

And he is TOUGH!

 

[Gointocarlton]

Super high footy IQ (leadership and onfield coaching) as well as a terrific kick and more than capable defender. We will miss him a lot.

 

[HBF]

Whilst he'll be a loss, we have plenty of coverage down back. Docherty, Saad, Boyd, Cowan. Jack is moving down there, and we have added Haynes as well.

 

[Michael Jezz]

Newman is 32. His injury staves off his inevitable replacement by 12 months..The injury is as much an opportunity to develop a player, who could add greater value than Newman within 12 months

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Newman is 32. His injury staves off his inevitable replacement by 12 months..The injury is as much an opportunity to develop a player, who could add greater value than Newman within 12 months

I think Newman would have finished up/found himself out of the side within 24 months but it's still a big loss.

Excited to see who takes his share of the ball, imo Boyd and Cowan would be the best choices.

 

[RPCB]

I reckon Nic Newman has played his last game for us unfortunately. Given his age and Nic being OOC, his next contract would have been contingent on how he played this year. Now he’s out for the year, so he’s getting replaced in the side and will find it harder to get back into the side at 33-34. I can’t see Nic receiving another year.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

I reckon Nic Newman has played his last game for us unfortunately. Given his age and Nic being OOC, his next contract would have been contingent on how he played this year. Now he’s out for the year, so he’s getting replaced in the side and will find it harder to get back into the side at 33-34. I can’t see Nic receiving another year.

Will all depend on how well we can cover him this year imo. But wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

 

[RPCB]

Will all depend on how well we can cover him this year imo. But wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

It would suck. Nic deserves to go out on top. He’s been a great player for us.

 

[4flagsin5yrs]

Cannot make the best of this situation. Basically lost our second best player.

We have to be realistic here.

he is far from our second best player, with all due respect to the man...

Cowan, Boyd, Weitering all have mongrel in them. Wouldn’t say any of them are just “nice”

Don't underestimate JSOS either on this score!

A loss but we have loads of experience down back - Weiters, Saady, Haynes, Guv.... JSOS.

 

[marcmurphy3]

My main concern isnt about being able to replace Newman in round 1 (although its sad and unhelpful). Its about the flow on effect losing a player of his quality, before the season even starts, can have to depth as the year progresses.

A guy that would have been 1 spot back in the queue will now be playing. If someone else gets injured, the 2nd guy back will be playing, instead of the 1st if we had Newman. If we get another injury, its the 3rd guy instead of the 2nd and so forth. At some point you hit a wall and there is a massive dropoff in quality.

If we get a good run it wont matter as much but just leaves us more vulnerable.

Other concern is direction in the backline. Thats why I want Doch there.

 

[gbatman]

Comparison of Docherty and Newman in the same role. Docherty All Australian and Newman 2nd in our best and fairest. Both very good players and Newman is a loss but we have great cover here. I'm backing in Cowan to really step up.

 

[slider95]

Super high footy IQ (leadership and onfield coaching) as well as a terrific kick and more than capable defender. We will miss him a lot.

Yes... I'm hoping we see him have a role in the coaches box on game day. Not only would he learn a but, but he'd have something to offer also. You can never have enough coaches and if we can utilise him in that way without having to chip into our soft cap then I'm all for it.

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

It’s Newman’s ability to play and stand up on some of the oppositions certain types that will be mostly missed, the last few years especially he has covered and blanketed some of the best and dangerous medium/small forwards in the competition…

He’s experience, body use, negating, interception, strength and ball use on the more developed, mature and experienced forwards that he matches up with really well with, will be hard to replace…

We now rely on a group of other players, some youngsters with the chance that will need to step up, hopefully to become competitive and consistent role players, who can also display some of the quality aspects of their strengths & abilities as well…

Preseason training, match sims and practice games give us a clearer understanding on the standouts and pecking order…

 

[Gointocarlton]

Whilst he'll be a loss, we have plenty of coverage down back. Docherty, Saad, Boyd, Cowan. Jack is moving down there, and we have added Haynes as well.

Billy Wilson will also put his hand up.

 

[The Bighouse]

Yes... I'm hoping we see him have a role in the coaches box on game day. Not only would he learn a but, but he'd have something to offer also. You can never have enough coaches and if we can utilise him in that way without having to chip into our soft cap then I'm all for it.

Think that’s a given for some sort of coaching role. Already involved as senior figure & mentor.

 

[Soapy V]

The positive is Newman injury has happened before SSPs need to be named.

It creates opportunity for Wilson Cowan Silvagni maybe L.Campo they may not have had. I’m also one for Docherty in defence

Major issue last year was running out of options and depth and no chance to replace them. When injuries happen in second half of year you struggle.

At anytime you have injuries but we need to the vast majority of our list available all year. It’s a mixture of luck and good management but we are due some good luck

 

[Soapy V]

Newman is a loss but I don’t buy the experience angle.

When a defence has Weitering McGovern Saad Haynes Silvagni Docherty as options then experience is not a concern for me

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

Newman has spent time with both the AFLW and AFL players in a coaching/development capacity in his time over the past years..
No doubt he will make a contribution in a few areas while on the sidelines…

 

[Coona Blues]

I think many posters are forgetting the fact that Newman genuinely has spent a decent portion of the pre season training with the mids. The coaching group has already explored structures without Newy playing back. Not sure exactly how or why it was to play out, but was definitely the case. Can confirm happened on the Sunshine Coast after earlier reports of the same.

He is a quality player and will be missed, but I am hopeful of a quality working structure being maintained. We have a number or players who can step up. Thinking Nick Haynes will bring plenty to the group to offset the leadership deficit.

 

[ferrisb]

We need to bring in a curse removal specialist

My brother has John Safran's number...

 

[Red_man2008]

No injuries today please. It seems every main session this month we’ve had an update. Let’s get through the rest with zero please.