WATCHING Melbourne forward Aliesha Newman utilise her breakaway pace to avoid a tackle evokes thoughts of another more famous Demon.

It's no coincidence Newman plays like Jeff Garlett. After all, he's her mentor, charged with showing her how to maximise her unique skills.





Aliesha Newman in the first ever AFLW Indigenous guernsey designed by Mandy Nicholson and Aliesha Neman (Photo: Matthew Goodrope)



Garlett, the Demons' leading goalkicker last season with 42, and All-Australian-nominated backman Neville Jetta, will be glued to the TV on Saturday night, watching Newman try to weave around Collingwood defenders in the NAB AFL Women’s match in Alice Springs.



"I've done a fair few sessions with Jeff on different aspects of the game, goalkicking and tackling and stuff like that," Newman said.



"Jeff and Neville have been two big influences on my career. They're always checking how I'm going and they go out of their way to have a chat.

"They touched base with me as soon as I got drafted last year, but we didn't really start any sessions until this year.

"We've done a lot of work on the computer, going back through footage."

Newman gave Demons supporters a snapshot of what she’d picked up from Garlett's exciting opportunist style with a three-bounce running goal from near the boundary line in the forward pocket against premier Adelaide in round two at Casey Fields.

So, what did the master think of her early AFLW goal of the year contender?

"Apparently, he was walking around the club telling people he taught me everything I know," Newman said with a laugh.

"He sent me a [text] message straight after the game saying he was happy that I backed my pace. He's always emphasising the importance of taking on an opponent and using my speed at the right time."

"The front of the guernsey represents a fingerprint. It symbolises the thumb print and the uniqueness you bring to the sport. It’s the symbol…of something different," she said.

"I've been up here (Alice Springs) for an indigenous soccer tournament and I think I'm the only one in the team who has been to the Alice before this trip.