Social media debate on the statement was strong, with no one questioning Newman’s ability to steer the ship, but many were wondering if he deserved to wear the crown as the King of Country Victorian Coaches.
So we decided to seek counsel from one of the foremost country football book authors in the state – enter long time journalist Paul Daffey.
Daffey made it clear from the outset that there were many minor league coaches with outstanding records, but his comments would relate solely to major league country coaches - such as Newman.
He also said that before commenting he would like to know the paramaters on which Gus formed his opinion, such as successive wins, premierships, longevity – or a combination of all three.
“He (Paul Newman) could well lay claim to the title of being country Victoria’s most successful football coach if it went on successive wins alone,” Daffey said.
“But if you take premierships and longevity into account then he a bit of a way to go."
Newman coached Kyabram to 62 successive victories, including two premierships, which Daffey believed to be a country Victorian record. Kyabram was beaten only once in four seasons, in the 2018 grand final (by two points) against Shepparton.
Daffey’s most recent publication, , features Newman and his Kyabram team’s build up to the Goulburn Valley League's 2019 grand final.On the Premiership Trail: More Travels in Country Victorian Football (2020)
Featuring on the front page of Daffey’s latest book is Nathalia’s Brendan Parker, a club the author recognises as having one of the “best cultures in country Victorian football”.
The Melbourne based author, who says he “probably won’t write another book”, spoke glowingly about Newman – but fell short of crowning him as the best ever
“Paul didn’t coach for long, but he could make a claim. His record was excellent,” Daffey said. “I did a big thing on Kyabram’s winning streak. He (Newman) was basically the reason it happened.
“He was an essential piece in that run of 62 consecutive victories until grand final day 2018."
Daffey said while he did consider Newman one of the great coaches, he didn’t coach for enough years – compared to some other country Victorian legends.
That may, however, change as he resumes coaching duties in 2022.
“He was the reason a lot of those players came back and played,” Daffey said. "It (naming the best ever coach of country Victorian football) all depends on the criteria.
“I’ve certainly not heard of any other team winning 62 in a row.
“A couple of minor league teams have gotten to 60.”
Daffey said the likes of former “big league” coach John Northey could challenge for the title.
“He coached Redan to three flags in the 1970s and also coached the Ballarat interleague side to three country championships between 1981-83,” Daffey said.
“He also coached Ballarat footy club to a flag in 2010 and was still involved there recently.” Daffey said Gippsland’s Wayne Butcher, who was a coaching legend at Maffra, would also be in the conversation.
“He was John’s dad, who played with Port Adelaide (in the AFL),” Daffey said.
Daffey also flagged names like Wangaratta Rovers’ Laurie Burt (three flags) and Paul Spargo from Albury, another coach to win three in a row at major league level.
“John Ledwidge in Bendigo was always highly regarded,” Daffey said. Ledwidge coached Eaglehawk and Golden Square to premierships and was around for 28 years.
“He was another to coach a Victorian championship team, with the Bendigo league,” Daffey said.
Bob McCaskill captain coached Sandhurst to six premierships in a row in the 1930s, then coached North Melbourne (1950 grand final) and Hawthorn.
Daffey said he considered Adam Dowie, from Warrnambool, to be the best coach in country Victoria at the moment.
“He has won six Hampden league flags and was also involved in a couple of losing ones,” Daffey said.
“Some think he gets too much credit, but he took Terang Mortlake to two flags, Warrnambool in 2010 and Koroit to three between 2016-18.
“He also coached Nirranda to a minor league flag,” Daffey said.
Wayne Walsh, father of Carlton star Sam, also rated a mention from Daffey, for his record in the Hampden league.
“He had great success with a lot of smaller clubs, Cobden and Camperdown,” Daffey said.
Paul Daffey’s books contain many intricate stories of success, and failure, and his Kyabram chapter is just one of the many entertaining anecdotes that make up his library of work.
