Michael Newton (No.29)

Career
Debut: 2007
Career matches: 28
Career goals: 35
 
2011
Matches: 3
Goals: 5
Kicks: 27
Marks: 14
Handballs: 11
Disposals: 38
Tackles: 6

Todd Viney’s season assessment
Juice had an injury-interrupted year. He was in sensational form early in the year in the VFL and got his chance in the senior side. He couldn’t replicate his form, but then suffered a foot injury, which sidelined him in the second half of the season.

Round-by-round assessment
Comments made by 2011 Melbourne coaching staff members Mark Williams, Brad Gotch and Kelly O’Donnell

AFL: Round 1 v Sydney Swans
Did not play (played in VFL practice match)

VFL: Round 1 v Geelong
Michael kicked 5.4 and took eight marks. He also set up four goals. He was a great forward target and was the key to the game I reckon. He worked hard to keep the ball inside 50 and helped set up the game. He was our best player. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 2 v Port Melbourne
Juice was fantastic again, but unfortunately got reported for a late spoil. The ball dropped on him and he unfortunately made contact with his forearm on his opponent’s head. He got reported by two umpires and we were offered a week, so we took it. Although he had a good record, he was a bit stiff. Otherwise, he kicked six goals and played very well. He helped us get right back in the game. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 3 v North Ballarat
Suspended: one match

VFL: Round 4 - Bye

VFL: Round 5 v Frankston
Juice kicked two goals, after kicking five and six in the first two matches. He came back from a week off, due to suspension, and he looked a bit rusty. With Brendan Fevola playing his first game in the seniors, Juice had to work out the dynamics of the forward line - plus Matthew Bate kicked six goals. So he might have been starved of opportunities a bit, rather than being the main man. But he still had a couple of opportunities he didn’t quite take. He was OK. Brad Gotch
 
AFL: Round 7 v Adelaide Crows (emergency)/VFL: Round 6 v Northern Bullants
Like Neville, Juice was an emergency for Melbourne at the MCG and didn’t arrive until the first quarter. He didn’t come onto the ground until the second term. So he was a bit rusty early and then when we had our talls go down, so he went into the ruck and had to do a lot there. It was a big ask for Juice against Shaun Hampson. But Juice’s ruck work and competitiveness was very good. Brad Gotch

AFL: Round 8 v North Melbourne  
Juice started like a house on fire. The way he attacked the ball early was fantastic. He had some stints in the ruck where he gave us a contest. He needed to keep doing the basics well and stay involved in the game. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 9 v St Kilda
Juice did some really good things, such as his contested work in the ruck. He just needed to continue to make a contest for us and finish his work. Mark Williams 

AFL: Round 10 v Carlton
Juice didn’t make the most of his opportunities and made a few basic errors that Carlton capitalised on. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 11 v Essendon
Injured: foot
 
AFL: Round 12 v Collingwood
Injured: foot

AFL: Round 13 v Fremantle
Injured: foot
 
AFL: Round 14 v Richmond
Injured: foot
 
AFL: Round 15 v Western Bulldogs
Injured: foot
 
AFL: Round 16 - Bye
Injured: foot
 
AFL: Round 17 v Port Adelaide
Injured: foot
 
AFL: Round 18 v Hawthorn
Injured: foot
 
AFL: Round 19 v Geelong Cats
Injured: foot
 
AFL: Round 20 v Carlton
Injured: foot

AFL: Round 21 v West Coast Eagles
Injured: foot  

AFL: Round 22 v Richmond
Injured: foot  
 
VFL reserves: Round 22 v Northern Bullants
Michael was a bit rusty, considering it was his first game back after missing 12 matches. He took four marks, and kicked one goal, two behinds. Brad Gotch
 
VFL: Qualifying final v Port Melbourne     
In what was a fair effort, Juice created some opportunities early on, but let himself down with ball use. However, he filled in well as a second ruck option. Brad Gotch