DOB: 5 November 1965
Debut: Round 5, 1985 against Carlton at MCG
Last MFC Game: Semi Final 1990 against West Coast at Waverley
From: Dingley/Caulfield Grammar
Number: 48 (1985), 34 (1986-1990)
Honours:
150 Heroes selection
Victorian state representative - 1989
Grand Final team - 1988
Under 19s Best and Fairest - 1984
Games: 101 (140 total)
Goals: 58 (66 total)
Career Statistics
Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
54 | 0 | 47 | 53.46 |
Renowned for his fitness and endurance, Newport played in the 1983 Under 19s premiership, before graduating to the Reserves. In early 1985 he made his senior debut, a late replacement against Carlton at the MCG. He impressed, and held his spot for 12 games that year.
In 1986 he added another 18 games, running equal fourth in Melbourne's Best and Fairest. At first, 1987 was a tough year for him but he emerged from a slump to become a key part of Melbourne's heroic charge to the finals. In 1988 he played 24 games, including the Grand Final. That year he was an assistant coach with Ajax Under 17s.
Often used as a tagger against the best midfielders in the league, Newport was a prolific ball-winner in his own right. In 1989 he represented Victoria against Tasmania. It was the best season of his career, where he was amongst the top kick getters in the competition and earned his only Brownlow Medal votes.
Before 1991, Newport was traded to St Kilda for Rod Owen and the number 6 pick in the National Draft. He was delisted at the end of 1992, but rejoined the Saints for one more season.
Newport returned to Melbourne as a director in 1995, before resigning in November 1996 to become Team and Player Resources Manager, a full-time player welfare role.
Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
1985 | 12 | 9 | 0 |
1986 | 18 | 13 | 0 |
1987 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
1988 | 24 | 11 | 0 |
1989 | 20 | 15 | 10 |
1990 | 18 | 8 | 0 |
Media
Australian Jewish News - 12/02/1988
Age - 28/07/1989, 17/02/1991, 05/11/1992, 24/11/1996
Canberra Times - 05/11/1992
Demon - December 1996