John Newman

Recruited from Geelong Grammar, John "Sam" Newman established himself as a revolutionary force in the ruck, combining traditional tap work with the mobility and ball-handling skills of a smaller player. Unlike many largely stationary ruckmen of the 1960s, Newman was an aerial threat around the ground, allowing him to dominate contests and drift forward to impact the scoreboard. His career was nearly cut short in 1967 when he suffered a severe kidney injury during a semi-final against Collingwood, an incident that resulted in the organ's removal and momentarily placed his life in danger.

Remarkable for his resilience, Newman returned to play for another thirteen seasons, adapting his game to rely on astute positioning and football IQ as he matured. He became the first Geelong player to reach 300 VFL games, serving as club captain and winning two Carji Greeves Medals during a period where team success was often scarce. While widely recognised today for his polarising media career, his on-field status is secured as a member of Geelong's Team of the Century and an Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee, representing a vital bridge between the Polly Farmer era and the rigorous professionalism of the 1980s.