Newman grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Narre Warren where his neighbour and childhood friend was former AFL player Brendan Fevola.

Newman led Box Hill to a VFL premiership in 2018 and formerly served as an assistant coach at Hawthorn in 2016.

After a strong run of form for the Coburg Tigers in the VFL, Newman made his debut for Richmond in Round 9 of the 2002 season.

He excelled as the Richmond team struggled, kicking 5 goals for the season and averaging 13 disposals off half back.

He picked up a career high 24 disposals against Sydney in Round 14, in a stirring one point win over that season's premiers.

He scored one of the goals of 2007 against Fremantle when he received a 50 m penalty which led him to the centre square after a scuffle with Dean Solomon.

He won the Tigers' Most Courageous Player award and also managed a fourth-place finish in the Jack Dyer Medal.

[8] In September 2016 it was announced he would move into the head coaching role at the Hawks' VFL affiliate, Box Hill in 2017.

[9] He was named the coach of the league's Team of the Year after leading Box Hill to second place in the home and away season in 2017.