Newton in good space as he plots AFL dream

SURFERS QAFL ruckman Harrison Newton will watch former Suns academy teammate Brayden Crossley make his AFL debut this weekend as he begins his quest to join him.

Newton has been among the Demons’ best in the early stages of the season, helping guide the side to two wins ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with Broadbeach tomorrow at Subaru Oval.

But the 20-year-old has opened up about his battle with injury that crushed his chances of getting in to an AFL system in recent years and how he planned on finding a way to make his dream of playing at the top a reality.

Newton spent seven years in the AFL academy from the age of 12 to 19, training alongside fellow ruckman Crossley.

But knee injuries from the age of 16 meant he missed the chance to put his name in lights in front of recruiters through academy and state level games at the critical ages of 17 and 18 leading in to the draft.

Newton had growth plate issues in both knees before suffering from patella tendinitis.

“It was pretty disappointing,” Newton said.

“I didn’t even get the opportunity to say that I gave it 100 per cent because I couldn’t even play at that point.

“It wasn’t like I played my best because I wasn’t good enough, I didn’t even get the opportunity.”

The 198cm ruckman, who weighs 85kg, didn’t run at all over the summer, opting to do pure strength work to get his body right.

It has paid off and Newton said he now had ambitions of recording a successful season with Surfers Paradise, attempting to join NEAFL club Southport in 2019 before going in to the rookie draft.

“I honestly can’t remember the last time my knees felt 100 per cent like this,” Newton said.

“I’m definitely the most confident I have ever been.”