Boyd Newby calls time after final premiership with Dirty Reds

18 seasons later, at the end of the 2020 season, he retired from the sport as an all-time great of Goulburn Rugby Union.

"The wheels are falling off," was Newby's explanation for his decision to step aside from the sport, though little reason is often needed for those past the age of 40.

Indeed, Newby actually intended to step away at the end of 2019, but a shortened season and the allure of winning one more premiership with the Dirty Reds was too much for the veteran to resist.

"It's been a long journey, I didn't think it'd happen this year," Newby said.

"I was retired last year, but it's a short season and I couldn't miss the opportunity. It's awesome, I'm excited to be a part of it."

So, he played in 2020. And won yet another premiership with Goulburn on Saturday. And now retires with 261 games under his belt.

But it isn't the awe-inspiring number of matches which set Newby apart. His strongest asset on the field was his innate sense of leadership.

After only five years of playing rugby, in 2008, Newby was handed the captaincy reins for the Dirty Reds. He promptly won two premierships on the trot, in 2008 and 2009, and compiled five overall during his tenure.

He finished his stint as captain with 102 victories from 135 games - for a staggering win rate of 75.56 per cent.

Having built a record of which any player would be proud, Newby struggled to pick a fondest memory from his career. When asked, he said playing alongside his son, Harry, in 2020 was up there among any of the premierships he had won.

"Every year goes by and there's something new each year," Newby said.

"This year, it was playing with my son and a lot of the blokes who have come through. Everything's special, it's hard to pick one [memory] out."

Also among the highlights for Newby were his numerous Monaro and Brumbies Provincial selections. His career overlapped the period where these teams were developed by ACT Rugby to give more opportunity to rural players.

"What ACT Rugby's offered us over the years with the Monaro program and then adding Brumbies Provincial, which quite a few of our fellas have featured in," Newby said.

"It's always been an incentive to get better and it's made our club better. I hope the commitment from our players and ACT Rugby continues."

Now happily retired, Newby intends to focus on his family and his work, though he promised to remain involved with the Dirty Reds in some capacity.

"I remember about six or seven years ago, I thought 'I'm going to be near 40 to have a run with Harry'," he said.

"I run my own business and we have twin girls and a busy family, so it's been a big effort. I'll still be involved in some way or another with the club."

Though nobody had anything but positive memories and well wishes for Newby, he will be sorely missed among the team.

Dirty Reds coach, number eight, and close friend of Newby, Mik Webber, said the lock's experience and knowledge of the game was an invaluable asset to the team.

"A lot of experience, he's very knowledgeable in the set piece area of the game, we'll definitely miss that," Webber said.

"He's good to have around, very sociable, and I've played a lot of my rugby with Boyd. I've been lucky enough to win eight grand finals with him, so I'll definitely miss him."

Newby was joined in retirement by reserve grade captain, Jeff Caldwell, and Sam Tabner.

Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up here.