It might have only been his fifth game of AFL football but the brilliance of defender Nic Newman was on full display in Sunday afternoon’s win.

The 24-year-old was recalled to the side to take on North Melbourne and collected 35 disposals, two goal assists and 11 marks in the best game of his short career.

Not only did Newman accumulate the disposals but he made them count with a disposal efficiency of 77%.

The running defender was a late inclusion to the side that faced North Melbourne after it was decided Oliver Florent would be rested.

Coach John Longmire said it was pleasing to see Newman turn around his game over the past fortnight.

“Nic got dropped to our reserves last week and showed a fantastic attitude to go back and play really well against a strong Brisbane reserves team,” Longmire said.

“He played really well, didn’t worry about it too much, he just went and did what he had to do. If you do that you come back pretty quickly with his attitude.

“He was really good today.”

It was a Gatorade shower that awaited Newman as he entered the rooms after the match – a moment he said he has been looking forward to since the start of the season.

“I hope that I did my job,” Newman said.

“I was rapt to get an opportunity and I just wanted to play in a win.

“To play in a win was the most pleasing thing and it was great that I could play some part.”