Who is the most underrated and appreciated player in the AFL? Tim Watson believes it might just be Carlton defender Nic Newman.
Newman moved from Sydney to Carlton at the end of 2018 and has been a regular in the club’s backline since.
2023 however has been his best season yet, averaging 21 disposals, 7.5 marks and 3.8 rebound 50s per game.
He has also consistently been used as a lockdown defender, playing on the likes of Toby Greene, Izak Rankine, Charlie Cameron and more across the season.
Watson praised the 30-year-old for what has been an excellent year.
“I’ve mentioned this guy before and he didn’t get any love out there and I’ll mention him again – Nic Newman is, I think is close to if not the most underrated player in the game,” the Essendon great told SEN Breakfast.
“He’s not a dasher, he’s not a speedy half back flanker. He just gets the job done, he’s very meticulous with his ball-use, he’s a great leader out there.
“He’s got great desire, all the things you want in a player. He plays 8/10 every week. I think he’s one of the more unsung heroes at the moment.”
Watson believes Sydney would once again be in the premiership race had they not lost a number of players in recent trade periods, including players like Newman who weren’t getting regular games.
“I was thinking about this, and players leave for a reason of course, and at Sydney they may have left because of the big contracts and the players they had to re-sign and that sort of thing,” he said.
“But have a listen to these names that have left Sydney – Aliir Aliir, Jordan Dawson, George Hewett, Nic Newman and Toby Nankervis.
“Imagine the Swans right now with their developing younger players with those guys.
“Those guys left probably for money as much as anything, but they’d be contesting for a flag again you’d think. They’d all be playing.”
Newman and Carlton gear up for a clash with St Kilda on Sunday.