ON THE back of his 38-disposal performance for Casey in its 107-point win over the Northern Blues last round, Ben Newton says he’s determined to keep backing up his performances and break back into the AFL side.

Newton, who has played the past four matches for Casey, after his pre-season was interrupted by an ankle injury, said adding to his 11 games with Melbourne (15 AFL games overall) was his No.1 goal.

“Everyone is here [to play in the AFL],” he told Melbourne TV.

“To see the guys play so well early in the season and get so excited about where we’re heading – there is a real energy [at the club].

“You can’t sit back and waste time, when everything like that is happening around you. I just want to be a part of it and the boys are having some really good fun now. I’d love to be there with them in the AFL side.”

Despite his aspirations to get back in the red and blue, Newton said he was eager to keep playing his role and do his utmost for Casey.

“I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and chipping away,” he said.

“I’m just trying to improve each week and improve my chances of playing well.

“I just need to relax and help the boys play good team football on the weekend and eventually if those things keep continuing to trend, then I’ll end up where I end up. Hopefully that’s in the AFL team because I want to be a part of it.”