Melbourne — Sam Newman, the outspoken former AFL star turned television personality, marked his 80th birthday on February 18, 2026, with a surprise announcement that has delighted fans and silenced critics alike: he and longtime partner Sue Stanley are engaged.

In a heartfelt video posted to Newman’s social media channels, the couple appeared together in their Melbourne home, Newman wearing a rare smile as Stanley held up her left hand to reveal a simple diamond ring. “We can’t keep this a secret any longer,” Newman said, his voice softer than his usual brash commentary style. “Sue has been my rock for years. She’s put up with me — God knows how — and now she’s agreed to do it for the rest of our lives.”

The announcement marks a deeply personal milestone for Newman, whose public persona has often been defined by controversy, sharp opinions, and a no-filter approach to football, media, and life. The 80-year-old — a three-time premiership player with Geelong, a long-time panellist on The Footy Show, and one of Australia’s most recognisable (and polarising) sports broadcasters — has spent much of his later years in the headlines for outspoken views on everything from player conduct to political correctness. Yet in the video, the man known for his tough exterior was visibly emotional, holding Stanley’s hand tightly and calling her “the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Sue Stanley, 62, is a respected fitness trainer, wellness advocate, and entrepreneur who has built a successful career promoting health, strength training for older adults, and body positivity. The couple met in 2018 through mutual friends in Melbourne’s fitness community. Stanley, a cancer survivor, has been a quiet but constant presence in Newman’s life ever since, often appearing alongside him at charity events and family gatherings but rarely in the spotlight herself. Friends describe her as “grounded, funny, and fiercely protective” — qualities that have helped Newman navigate the later stages of his career and personal life with more balance.

The engagement comes after Newman’s well-publicised health challenges in recent years, including a serious back injury in 2023 that required surgery and months of rehabilitation. Stanley was by his side throughout recovery, and many close to the couple say her support was instrumental in his return to physical activity and public life. “She’s the reason he’s still here and still fighting,” one friend told reporters. “Sam’s always been tough, but Sue showed him what real strength looks like.”

The announcement has drawn an outpouring of support from across the sporting and entertainment worlds. Former Footy Show co-hosts Garry Lyon and Shane Crawford posted heartfelt messages, while current AFL figures including Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield sent congratulations. Even some of Newman’s longtime critics offered kind words, acknowledging the human side of a man who has spent decades as a lightning rod for debate.

Newman and Stanley have not yet set a wedding date, but they hinted in the video that it will be a small, private ceremony surrounded by close family and friends. “We’ve had enough drama in our lives,” Newman joked. “This one’s just for us.”

For a man who has spent much of his life in the public eye — loved by millions, loathed by millions more — the decision to share this intimate moment feels like a quiet act of vulnerability. At 80, after a career of controversy, commentary, and unfiltered opinions, Sam Newman has found something rarer than fame: a partner who sees him fully, flaws and all, and chooses him anyway.

The image of Newman — once the brash, unbreakable football star — now gently placing a ring on Sue Stanley’s finger has become a viral symbol of second chances, late-life love, and the simple joy of finding someone who makes the years ahead feel bright instead of daunting.

As fans and friends celebrate, one thing is clear: even in a life lived loudly, the quiet moments of love are the ones that matter most.