Newton goes from scrapheap to champion
By Josh Massoud
October 01, 2007 12:00am
CLINT Newton wrote a fairy tale last night, but his secret wish of being immortalised under a beer bottle cap remains unfulfilled.
"I would have made great trivia question for a bottle cap: Who was the only player to play for the wooden spooners and the premiers in the same season," Newton said.
Unfortunately, Newcastle let him down. It was left to his adopted Melbourne to make amends last night.
Even if it isn't read upon cracking open a stubbie, Newton's tale of 2007 will live forever in the game's feel-good folklore.
In the space of just four months, the 26-year-old back-rower has gone from the scrapheap at Newcastle to the penthouse with Melbourne - scoring a try in the 73rd minute to cap a terrific grand final debut.
In a sport defined by giving battlers a chance, Newton personified the power of rugby league.
"I was probably at the lowest point in my career when I left Newcastle," he recalled. "I was emotionally and mentally gone.
"But Melbourne and (coach) Craig Bellamy had faith in me. That's what it's all about. As a player, all you are after is a bit of faith and that's what makes it so special."
As Newcastle as Henny Penny and Nobby's Head, Newton and his famous golfing father Jack are now in danger of embracing the cafe lattes and tram lines of Melbourne.
Newcastle's former No. 1 fan, Newton Sr, was dressed in so much purple he looked like Grimace. The outfit even fooled Prime Minister John Howard, who leaned over and asked: "G'day Jack - so you've been a Storm man for a while then?"
Albeit wrong, Howard had a point. Newton Snr didn't just look like part of the Melbourne family - he is.
"Ever since Clint has come down here, they've taken us under their wing," Newton Snr said. "Blood is thicker than water. Newcastle are 40-love down and the ball's with them as far as I'm concerned."
Two words written in silver on Storm's jersey summed up the feeling in the club: "Together 07".
Second rower Jeremy Smith explained the simple motto was the Storm's slogan for the entire year. "The leadership group came up with it at the start of the season and that's how we've approached things," Smith said.
It was on show in actions, as well as words. Departing recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan was still crying an hour after fulltime, revealing that Storm CEO Brian Waldron had handed him a Premiership Ring.
"They asked the NRL to make me an extra one," said O'Sullivan, who is joining the Roosters next year. "That's what this club is all about. I don't want to leave, but I have to because my kids are in Sydney."
Whether Newton joins an exodus that also includes prop Ben Cross, centre Matt King and manager Dean Lance, remains to be seen. He will decide in the next week whether to take up a rich offer from UK club Hull KR.
"I'm still 50-50, but I'm a positive person," Newton said.
Everything depends on Smith. Melbourne are considering releasing the Kiwi from the final year of his current deal to take up an offer from St George Illawarra. The equation is simple. If Smith goes, Newton stays.
"I've got to think about where I stand and what my family wants to do before I decide whether it's worth moving," Smith said.
If last night was one final fling for them all, then Newton's best mate Mick Crocker deserves the final say.
"It's like tantric sex - you have a big build up and once you get to the climax it's fantastic," he said.
