Injured Carlton defender Nic Newman has had to do things the hard way.
Overlooked in the draft before Sydney took him as a rookie in 2015. He then spent the first two seasons in what was at the time the NEAFL, failing to play under John Longmire, meanwhile surviving on 12-month contracts.
A ruptured patella in 2020 on his right knee early in his time at Carlton, which has been compounded by the same injury on his left knee at the start of this year.
It would be understandable for Newman to contemplate retirement.
"Within 20-25 seconds, I looked down and as I saw the dent start to appearโฆ that's when I quickly realised," Newman said on Ball Magnetsย podcast hosted by former teammate Tom Mitchell.
"By the time I walked off the ground, I knew - it was the second session back in January, I had done a lot of work, and I was in the best shape I'd been in.
"With the right knee [in 2020], I was playing some okay footy, and I was 27, so I felt like I had a bit of time. This one happened in pre-season after having two good years, I felt great physically and with a young daughter now.
"You naturally think you're going to roll in and have another great year - your life gets turned on its head pretty quickly."
Newman was fresh off a career-best campaign, coming second in the Blues' best and fairest count to Brownlow medal winner and star on-baller Patrick Cripps.
Yet, despite contemplating hanging up the boots, the classy left-footer found "comfort" in having gone through this particular rehab before.
"It has been really comforting this time through my rehab knowing that I've come out of this injury before, played better footy and have felt great physically," Newman added.
"I felt better prepared going into this rehab, I've attacked it better and it's gone a lot smoother: I feel like I'm really well-placed to come out of this and play some really good footy again."
Newman has since taken on an off-field role on gameday to assist his teammates. Keen onlookers would notice the 32-year-old along the club's interchange bench, helping with communication between the coaches' box and players.
"The lead-up [to games] is the hardest part. The warm-up inside, I love the build-up of playing, like going out for a kick and looking out at the crowd - that's the hard part where you feel like you're missing out," Newman said.
"I've found during the game I'm fine, because I'm locked inโฆ when I'm on the bench in the heat of the game, I really enjoy it. It's kept me involved, given me a bit of purpose that I can have some small impact."
The Blues have ruled out Newman for the remainder of the 2025 season per their injury report, but he will be given every chance to return after opting not to free up a list spot.
