'Not my issue': Sam Newman explains blow-up over Adam Goodes doco

Sam Newman has moved to explain his position on the Adam Goodes documentary after social media comments following the film’s release.

This week, the director behind the stunning Adam Goodes documentary ‘The Final Quarter’ claimed he received an angry phone call from former TV personality Sam Newman after the film’s premiere.

According to director Ian Darling, Newman was reportedly irritated to learn he had been featured in the film.

‘The Final Quarter’ explores the final years of Goodes’ glittering AFL career, which was dogged by racism controversies and crowds booing the Sydney Swans champion.

Newman also took to social media with controversial comments following the film’s release.

But on Tuesday evening, Newman moved to clarify his position.

“Viewed The Final Quarter. It’s an expose on Adam Goodes as a sportsman and his stance against racism,” he tweeted.

“Goodes has my wholehearted support in this endeavor. That wasn’t my issue. I was critiquing the line between his playing style and booing.”

He then went on to claim his comments were not portrayed fairly.

“The context of my statement was not preceded by the question I was asked. My comments were specifically about an issue - and it wasn’t racism,” he wrote.

‘Sam played an important role’

Speaking on Channel 9 program Sports Sunday, Darling said Newman had phoned him to ask why he appeared in the documentary.

“Sam called up. He wanted to know why he was in the film,” Darling said.

“I made it very clear we wanted to simply show the conversation that happened during that period.

“It was really important that everyone who had a voice was represented and people added to the conversation in so many different ways and Sam played an important role in that conversation.”