AFL provocateur Sam Newman has confirmed his friendship with aerobics royalty Sue Stanley has evolved - and he could not be happier.

The 80-year-old Geelong legend, who was once at pains to shut down romance rumours, now openly describes Stanley as his partner after years of companionship that began as what he famously insisted was simply a 'girl friend'.

Back in 2023, Newman poured cold water on speculation, saying: 'I am very happy to say I am a friend of hers and she is a friend of mine, but that is it.

'She is a girl friend of mine and that is two separate words: girl friend, not a girlfriend.'

At the time, he added: 'We are companions and [the dating rumour] is just not true.'

'I am her handbag and that is it.'

The comments came after the pair were repeatedly spotted together at public events, including a Sport Australia Hall of Fame function, where Stanley's decorated sporting career was again celebrated.

Stanley, 57, is more than a fitness personality. She represented Australia in water skiing at the 1988 Olympics, then a demonstration sport, later won multiple aerobics gold medals and was crowned Ms Fitness World Champion in 2000. 

She was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1998 and awarded an OAM in 2020 for services to sport.

Newman's own sporting résumé is equally formidable. He played 300 games for Geelong between 1964 and 1980 before reinventing himself as one of the most controversial and high-profile figures in Australian sports media.

But behind the headlines, Newman's personal life has been marked by tragedy. Married four times, he was left devastated when his fourth wife, Amanda Brown, died suddenly of cardiac arrest in March 2021 at age 50. 

The couple had been together for two decades. Within a year, Newman also lost close friend Shane Warne, a double blow he has previously described as shattering.

Now, he says he has found stability and joy again.

Newman revealed the relationship with Stanley has deepened after months spent travelling together around Australia by boat and caravan.

'She is my friend, she is my partner, at this stage I'm happy and you know how relationships are - everything is tickety-boo,' he told News Corp.

The extended trips appear to have sealed the deal.

'I've been away on two extended breaks with her and I'd say if two people can withstand each other at such close quarters for that amount of time, you're through to the semis without dropping a set,' he said.

Newman also confirmed the pair now live together.

'We cohabit,' he said. 

'We gave it a fair trial over nine months in a caravan - what could go wrong.'

The couple have since stepped out at major events including the Australian Open and another Sport Australia Hall of Fame legends night, signalling a partnership that is no longer confined to quiet companionship.

The couple shared plenty of videos on their journeys around Australia by caravan, with Stanley surprising Newman with a classic Lions fruit cake for his 80th birthday in December.

'That's almost as good a birthday present as I've ever received,' he said. 

'We wouldn't have enough space for me to make my wishes.' 

Turning 80 has prompted reflection from the outspoken broadcaster.

'It is a high number and in football parlance maybe I'm in time on or the start of the last quarter,' he said.

'But as anyone who gets to that age realises, the most important thing is your health and wellbeing and remaining healthy. That's a very good start.'