AFL premiership player Brad Sewell made a winning return to life as a Newlyn footballer on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 34-year-old didn’t turn back the clock with his on-field performance, but played a part in the Cats’ memorable 25-point victory against Waubra in the Central Highlands Football League.
A big crowd turned out at Newlyn to witness Sewell play alongside brothers Adam and Myles for the first time and crammed into the clubrooms to belt out the song after the 8.12 (60) to 5.5 (35) triumph.
“It was great. It’s the first chance we’ve had (to play together) and to do it back here at our home club, and in front of so many friends and family, is just fantastic,” Sewell said after the match.
It’s the first chance we’ve had (to play together) and to do it back here at our home club, and in front of so many friends and family, is just fantastic
- Newlyn's Brad Sewell
While Brad was serviceable in roles mostly in attack, Adam and Myles had strong games on Saturday.
But it was their mate and former Greater Western Sydney Giants player Steve Clifton that proved a match-winner for the home side.
In the wet and windy conditions, Clifton collected a stack of possession and kicked three important majors to seal the result in the final term.
While Saturday’s victory was rather comfortable in the end, it certainly didn’t look as though it would be the case early in the contest.
Waubra started the game with real purpose and managed to hold the hosts goalless until late in the second quarter.
The third term was a decisive one as the Cats outscored the visitors, which had the aid of a useful breeze.
The Roos trailed by as little as three points during the last quarter, but Clifton’s three goals and a sealer from Myles Sewell was enough to get the home team over the line.
Ruckman Jarrod Fryar also had a great game for Newlyn, while the Waubra defence – led by Ben Wilson, Darcy Jenkins and James Petrie – was strong for much of the battle.
Roos coach Matt James admitted the third term was a turning point in the clash.
“In the third quarter when the game was on the line, we just didn’t get the footy,” James said. “Newlyn has obviously got a really good midfield and we probably didn’t stand up to it enough.”
Brad Sewell retired from AFL ranks in 2014. He joined the Hawks via the 2001 AFL rookie draft from North Ballarat Rebels.