On Carlton in 2024, Nic Newman says he recognizes the expectations surrounding his club, but can put them aside if necessary.After a career-best season in 2023 in which he finished runner-up in the John Nicholls Medal, Newman knows exactly what’s in store for the Blues in 2024.”I don’t think you have to be crazy to understand that there are high expectations to play at Carlton,” Newman admitted.”I think it was there long before I was there and now it’s obviously coming to fruition and it’s really at the forefront of a lot of fans.Finishing tight games was a hallmark of Carlton’s style of play last year, but Newman and The Blues is well aware of the dangers of being too late in your game, but Newman says that after repeatedly reliving those big moments in 2023, the determination and drive are stronger than ever.”It will definitely get you to the finals,” he said.“Playing in these big games is addictive and I think everyone has this bug of wanting to go back and play those big games.”At the end of the day, the whole season can come down to small moments and we’ve worked hard to get back to that position.”Newman agrees that hiding from outside pressure won’t help the Blues in the long term, but they need to make sure they come in the big moments and not let it get the better of them.The defender praises the club’s leaders for keeping the group grounded and believes Carlton will take good spirits into the 2024 season.”I think part of it is welcoming [expectations] and part of it is being able to acknowledge them and then put them aside,” he said.”We really put our energy into things we value and control, and Vossy and the leaders are doing a great job [pushing] that.”.