Jack Newnes Biography

Carlton delists 200-game former Saint Jack Newnes.

"Jack is a testament to what hard work can earn you in AFL Football, to play 200 games to this point at the highest level is a terrific achievement that Jack and his family should be incredibly proud of," Carlton list manager Nick Austin said.

Carlton signs Jack Newnes as a delisted free agent.

"I am really excited, it has been a bit of a whirlwind the last couple of months, but I’m glad the decision has been made," Newnes said.

"I think there are a lot of young players here and I’ve got a lot of experience so hopefully I’ll be sharing a bit of knowledge about what it takes.

"I’ve got a lot of improvement in my game personally. I haven’t yet reached the highest level I can, so I am really excited to push myself and push the group as well."

Jack Newnes will continue his career at Carlton as a delisted free agent after turning down a two-year offer from the Saints.

"Jack has decided the time is right for a fresh start and we have agreed to delist him. This will allow him the opportunity to join another club as a delisted free agent," Saints list boss James Gallagher said.

"Jack has been an integral part of the Saints for the past eight years. His character, durability, willingness to play different roles and commitment to driving the standards off the track saw him elevated to the club's leadership group between 2017-2018.

"He is a life member of the club, highly regarded by his teammates and coaches, and we wish him all the best for the future."

Jack Newnes is the highest-profile free agent left on the shelf as the 2019 Free Agency window closed.

Newnes, a restricted free agent, has had a two-year deal on the table at Moorabbin for several weeks but had been canvassing interest from rival clubs up until this week.

Now Newnes' only way out of the Saints would be as a trade next week or as a delisted free agent beyond that, if he decides not to accept the Saints' offer.

Jarryn Geary will captain the Saints for a third straight season in 2019 with Seb Ross serving as vice-captain.

Former Swan Dan Hannebery has been included in the club's leadership group, while Jack Steven and wingman Jack Newnes have been left out.

Jack Newnes hopes to be available for the Saints' first JLT Community Series game in three weeks after undergoing knee surgery before Christmas.

"I had a little scope in my knee so that's probably the first time I've been in rehab for about three or four years, so it's a bit of a different looking pre-season for myself," Newnes said.

Jarryn Geary will skipper St Kilda for a second season, but the veteran defender feels 2018 will be the true changing of the guard after the Nick Riewoldt era.

The 29-year-old will head a leadership group that has shrunk from eight last year to five in 2018 and includes Seb Ross, Jack Steven, Dylan Roberton and Jack Newnes.

"There's no doubt Nick was a leader of the club for a long time, and probably stood out in games when he was still probably the main man," Geary said.

"I guess (his retirement) will probably help me.

"I tried not to compete with him, he still led in his own way so it was a conscious effort not to compete with him.

"I won't have to do that this year.

"I think the five us will be the voice of the club. Nick obviously did that for a long time, but it's our turn to take over."

Jarryn Geary will be the St Kilda's new captain for 2017.

Geary takes over the role from Nick Riewoldt, who was skipper for 220 games. That tally ranks Riewoldt third on the all-time list for most VFL/AFL games captained, behind Carlton's Stephen Kernahan (226) and Essendon's Dick Reynolds (224).

Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Sean Dempster and Sam Gilbert took themselves out of contention for the leadership group, and thus the captaincy. Those players, known as the 'four elders', make up the Saints' over-30 contingent.

"Before that vote, Montagna, Riewoldt, Gilbert and Dempster got up and said 'Don't vote for us, we're out. Time for you blokes to drive it. We think you're ready'," Saints coach Alan Richardson said.

Midfielder Seb Ross, Dylan Roberton and Josh Bruce are St Kilda's newest official leaders. They join Geary, Jack Steven, David Armitage, Jack Newnes and Maverick Weller.

"If we had six players who got lots of votes and then there was a gap, we'd have six (in the leadership group). As it turned out, we had eight, because those guys were voted in really strongly," Richardson said.

Jack Newnes signs a two-year contract extension with St Kilda.

"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)," Newnes said.

"I like to get [contracts] out of the way early, it takes a bit of pressure off. I just like to worry about my football.

"I'm happy to lock in for three more years and hopefully we can start something special."

After a career-best 2016, Newnes says he hopes to keep improving in 2017.

"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."

Jack Newnes is on a mission to add size to his frame between now and round one to help him compete as an inside midfielder.

"The aim is to get right in the guts, and ideally I'd be at 84kg to play an inside role," Newnes said.

"I've put on about 1kg (this pre-season) and hopefully I can get to the 83kg mark before round one."

Jack Newnes has signed a two-year contract extension that will tie him to St Kilda until the end of 2017.

After a carving out an important role across half-back and on a wing, he said he was hoping to spend more time in the engine room next season.

"I'm definitely hoping to push more into the midfield," Newnes said.

"I will have to put a bit of size on again, hopefully a couple of kilos, before we come back and start our running work.

"But becoming an inside midfielder would be ideal."

Veteran Saint Lenny Hayes says youngster Jack Newnes, along with a number of other St Kilda players, has the potential to one day captain the club.

"Without putting too much pressure on a guy like Jack Newnes, I see a lot of leadership qualities in him," Hayes said.

"Jarryn Geary has become a really important player for us and a good leader over the last couple of years. Ben McEvoy's in there as well.

"Even a guy like Leigh Montagna, if 'Roo' didn't want to do it next year, then I'm sure he could take over for a couple of years until one of those younger guys is ready."

St Kilda secures key youngsters Seb Ross, Jimmy Webster and Jack Newnes with new deals while Dylan Roberton has also signed a two-year contract extension with the club.

Dean Brogan is suspended for three matches following a high bump to Jack Newnes which resulted in the St Kilda youngster breaking his jaw.

Brogan said he had apologised to Newnes post-match and later via a text message and he felt terrible about an injury sustained from an incident he didn't feel was significant.

Newnes, who will miss one to two matches with a broken jaw, submitted a statement as evidence and said he went to bump Brogan to make his presence felt.

Jack Newnes makes his AFL debut for St Kilda at Docklands Stadium with 9 disposals (5 kicks and 4 handballs), 3 marks and a tackle in a 92-point win over Gold Coast.