In the lead-up to the 2022 AFL national draft to be held on November 28-29, with Richmond currently holding picks 53 and 63, Tony Greenberg compiled a list of the Tigers’ all-time top 10 draft selections over pick 50. We have been counting them down from 10 to one on a daily basis throughout the past couple of weeks and conclude today with the No. 1 choice – Chris Newman.

Chris Newman was recruited by Richmond from under-18s team Dandenong Stingrays with its fifth pick, No. 55 overall, in the 2000 national draft.

The young half-back served a solid apprenticeship with the Tigers, spending his entire first season in 2001 playing for the Club’s then VFL affiliate Coburg.

It took him until Round 9 the following year to break into the Richmond line-up, but once he did, there was no looking back.

From his first game, against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in 2002, Newman became an integral part of the Tigers team.

Over the course of the next decade, he was the glue that has held the side’s defence together, through his composure, courage, toughness, football nous, reliability, and penetrating, precise left-foot kicks.

A key part of Newman’s backline role was the ‘kick-ins’ after the opposition scored a behind, and it was something he coped with extremely well because of his unflappable nature.

In Newman’s time at Punt Road, the Tigers frequently struggled down the bottom of the league ladder, yet he still managed to perform at a consistently high level throughout.

He had seven top-10 finishes in the Jack Dyer Medal, with a best result of second in 2010.

When Kane Johnson resigned as Richmond’s captain at the end of the 2008 season, Newman was appointed as his replacement and, not surprisingly, he responded extremely well to the added responsibility of the role.

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'This is the greatest honour I’ll ever achieve' - Newman

Chris Newman addresses the President's Function following his induction into the Richmond Hall of Fame.

Newman captained the Club for a total of four seasons and, even after standing down as skipper at the end of the 2012 season, he continued to provide the Tigers with good value in the twilight of his distinguished playing career.

Across his 268 games for Richmond, Newman averaged 15.9 disposals and 4.5 marks per match.

He had an AFL career-high 32 disposals against St Kilda in Round 22 of the 2007 season and took a career-high 15 marks v Collingwood, Round 2, 2012.

When Newman announced his playing retirement in 2015, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick paid him a glowing tribute . . .

“Chris has been an outstanding representative of the Richmond Football Club for 15 years, both on and off the field,” Hardwick said.

“He has been a brilliant player, a strong and composed leader, and a magnificent role model.

“He took over as Richmond captain in a difficult time and carried himself impressively, as he helped build the strong culture which exists at Tigerland today.”