The defensive midfielder joined the Spitfires back in 2012, the same year the Albury Wodonga men played in the final of Victorian State league hockey.

He has also been part of the squad that made the shift to the Canberra Capital League last year in what was a baptism of fire.

But the 21-year-old, last year selected in the Australian under-21 country team, said the signs were moving in the right direction.

Newnham will play his 50th game for the Spitfires when they travel to Canberra today to play St Pats.

“The shift to Canberra was a real wake-up call,” he said.

“It was a huge step up in class from State league hockey — it is sharper and faster.

“The passing is slicker and the transition from defence to attack is lightning quick.”

The Spitfires finished seventh in their inaugural season, but Newnham believes they have squad capable of being on the cusp of finals.

“We showed glimpses of promise last year but this year we are fitter and adjusting better to the structures Matt Smart has demanded from us in the past,” he said.

“In terms of fitness it is that explosive pace that was missing last year — the ability to go from a dead stop to full bore, the difference between being in a position to stop your opponent getting the ball and being that half a metre behind them.

“After four rounds we are winless but the signs are positive.

“Already we have been competitive against the teams that are expected to fight out the competition.

“I think we can make finals this year — we’ve already shown in the first four rounds that we have the ability to match it with the best in the league.”

Newnham’s has since played for Hockey Albury Wodonga at Victorian Country Championships, been selected for Victoria Country and was then selected for the Australian Country under-21s.