Former Richmond captain Chris Newman has announced he will return to the club in 2015 after inking a new one-year deal to play a 15th AFL season.
Newman fended off retirement concerns after sustaining a torn calf back in round 11 and will celebrate game No.250 knowing he’ll back be back to complete some “unfinished business”.
With a finals spot on the line, the 32-year-old produced an 11-disposal first quarter in last weekend’s 26-point win over St Kilda before being pulled from the game with a half to play ahead this week’s must-win clash against the Swans.
“It didn’t really sit comfortably with me to walk away now,” said Newman, who last year played in his first final since debuting in 2002.
“It just feels like we’ve got too much unfinished business and I felt like I am still required at the club. It was probably a different mindset when I tore my calf. I was probably at my lowest point there. I thought that realistically I probably wouldn’t go around again.
“Things have changed, probably not so much our win-loss record, but just the way we have been playing has been encouraging. I desperately want to be a part of that.”
Currently in eighth position on the AFL ladder, the Tigers are one of five teams vying for the final spot in September action and will go into Saturday night’s clash against the 17-4 Swans as underdogs.
“I feel extremely blessed to have 250 games at this club, but it is something I will reflect on when I am finished,” he said.
“I am solely focused on this week.”
“If we don’t get the job done this week, there is no point talking about it,” he said. “Each week for us has felt like an elimination final. This week is no different and that’s how we will be playing.
Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
