Just like the way he goes about his football, St Kilda wingman Jack Newnes has swiftly dealt with one task – adding a further two seasons to his time at the Saints – and has now moved on to the next job at hand.
Despite having a year to run on his previous deal, the 23-year-old added another two years ahead of the Christmas break, becoming the third young Saint to recommit to the club until the end of 2019 in the space of three weeks.
After playing every game for a third year in succession, Newnes finished fifth in the Trevor Barker Award, averaging 23.3 disposals, 4.7 inside 50s and 3.0 tackles per game. Now, the emerging Saints leader is eyeing off being part of something special.
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“It was a pretty easy process. I think every time I’ve signed a contract I’ve just wanted to get it done,” Newnes told saints.com.au on Tuesday.
“My manager, Peter Lenton, came to me and gave me the offer from the club. We were pretty happy to sign it straight away, so I’m really excited (to sign) for another couple (of years).
“I like to get them out of the way early, it takes a bit of pressure off; I just like to worry about my football.
“I had 2017, and now two more on top of that. I’m happy to lock in for three more years and hopefully we can start something special.”
Since landing at Linen House Centre via pick No. 37 in the 2011 National Draft, Newnes has taken his game to the next level season after season, culminating with a 2016 where he emerged as one of the best wingmen in the competition.
“I think each year I’ve been really taking steps forward, it’s been really fun,” Newnes said. “I just want to keep taking my game to the next level, hopefully keep improving along with all the other boys.”
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Ahead of the Christmas interval commencing on Thursday, Newnes said the influx of off-season arrivals has dragged the entire group along to the next level.
“It’s a great feeling at the moment, I guess you can see the improvement already,” he said.
“You’ve got blokes like Nathan Brown coming in, Jakey Carlisle, Jack Steele, Koby Stevens; they’re already making a difference and everyone else seems to have gone to another level as well.
“There’s a fair bit of a buzz, we just can’t wait to get to March and start playing footy.”
Having played the last 69 games in a row, Newnes has raced along to 91 appearances in just five years, after managing only seven in his debut season. He has quickly immersed himself amid an evolving engine room that will play an important role in propelling St Kilda back into September.
