CHRIS NEWMAN has got serious in 2007. The defender has shelved his PlayStation, bought a puppy and is spending more time with his girlfriend.

But the biggest sign of Newman’s change in attitude is his metamorphosis from a shy youngster to a vocal and confident clubman.

“Now that I’ve played a few games, I see myself as a senior player,” he said. “Obviously, I have stepped up to the leadership group this year, so I feel it’s my role to be boisterous around the club and to lift the blokes’ confidence and get them up.”

It was thought it would be a slow return for Newman this year as a result of the horrific, season-ending broken leg he suffered last season.

Fortunately, the pre-season has gone better than expected for the Tigers defender, with no mental or physical demons afflicting him.

“Early on when I started competitive work it was in the back of my mind,” Newman said about his rebuilt left leg.

“But it is as solid as it has ever been. If I am going to break it again, it is going to have to go through a steel rod. So, I’m pretty confident.”

It was a relaxed Newman who spoke after Saturday’s loss to Melbourne, mirroring the confident atmosphere pervading the Tigers change rooms.

Newman said the lack of anxiety among the coaches and players was because of the club’s belief it is on the right track despite failing to win a match in the pre-season.

“The team believes in its style of play and its structures,” he said. “The main thing is just getting some continuity through our quarters – that’s probably our main issue.”

Newman says he cannot wait for the regular season. He believes the side’s backline will be a lot grittier this season, with former Docker Graham Polak down back.

The defender says the addition of Polak will allow Joel Bowden to be used in areas where he can be most damaging.

“Joel was probably restricted by a few of the roles he played last year,” he said. “If he can be freed up and he can get a bit of the ball, he’s so creative and it’s only going to hold us in good stead in the future.”

Newman has also made some significant changes off the track this pre-season.

For one, there’s been an addition to the household, with whom Newman is enjoying long walks along the beach. "I've just got a dog, a little puppy. I've been walking him so that's been taking up a bit of my time. I've gone off the video games.“I’ve got a girlfriend as well and she gets a fair bit of my time. I like to get back to Narre Warren and visit my parents, too.”

And he’s also switched from the quiet surrounds of Ramsey Street to the shiny lips of Tracy Grimshaw.

“I’ve gone right off Neighbors,” Newman declared, before finishing the interview to rescue a piece of watermelon from being demolished by a hungry Matthew Richardson.

“I’m a current affairs man now. I like the interviews when they chase people and put them on the spot.”

So, Tigers fans, don’t be surprised if you witness some vintage Mike Munro door-smashing, one-on-one bodywork creep into Newman’s game this season.