Article by Caitlin Arnold
The Southern Power’s underwhelming 2014 performance will sit as their motivator during the upcoming season with Division One midfielder, James Clarke admitting that their disappointing 2014 season was cause for reflection over the off-season.
Having taken hold of the premiership cup in the Division One competition in 2013, their inability to make the 2014 finals left an unwanted shadow over the current crop of senior players at the club.
"We had several key players from our 2013 premiership team who we lost mostly due to retirement, and mixing that in with a lot of injuries, it just wasn’t to be,” Clarke explains of their 2014 campaign.
"We had a strong second half of the year but we obviously left it too late. We feel we have learnt a lot from last year.”
Adding to the Power’s 2014 woes, their Division Three reserves side has been relegated to Division Four for the 2015 season along with Macquarie University, but the club is unlikely to take that lying down.
"It has all been positive. It’s unfortunate that we have been relegated, however, with a lot of young guys coming to the club, as well as a lot of our reserve grade players training extremely hard, our depth is looking good.
"Our goal is to take the flag. We know it’s not going to be easy but the boys are striving towards achieving it.”
Quickly looking to improve on their 2014 season, the Power set out to become a closer group, starting with their end of season trip and continuing into a determined pre-season regime.
"The whole playing group know what we need to improve on and we would be lying if last year’s performance didn’t hurt us.
"After some much needed team bonding over the off-season and into the pre-season, the boys have become an even closer group of guys.
“And since getting back to training, this is the most motivated I’ve seen the playing group since coming to the Club in 2010.”
Leaving 2014 behind, Clarke explains that the juniors will be the ones to watch at the Southern Power this year. Gaining an influx of local juniors, as well as a couple of interstate players, Clarke says that some of their Under 19s will be pressing hard for a senior call up, including last year’s Hart Medal (Sydney AFL Best and Fairest in Under 19s) winner, Andrew Denoon.
"Denoon has put on some size, is training the house down, and has shown a lot of improvement.
"Also, young Liam Hamling hasn’t missed one training session. He is quick, fit and has the best kick in the club – he is definitely standing out.
"We have Danny DeSouza who has come across from Adelaide playing in the SAAFL for the last few years, along with Brodie White who has come from Tasmania. [They are] both quality players and will be huge for us in the midfield this year."
Ever the community club, the Southern Power have instigated individual player sponsorship with the aim of promoting local business via their website, social media platforms and their unique smart phone app.
"From a players point of view it’s also good as the sponsor looks after a portion of his or her registration fee.”
The Southern Power will once again continue their commitment to women’s AFL with their Division Two championship winning side entering the Division One Women’s competition, alongside their rivals the Wollongong Saints.
"Whether you are looking to play good quality football, social football, or if you’re a woman looking to play, we have it all.
"The club culture has definitely been a big talking point in the last couple of years since losing some very influential people, however, we have had a lot of people step up and take the reigns, which has been great.
"It’s a close-knit club and anyone - especially in the southern part of Sydney - should come down for a kick and they’ll see what I’m talking about.
Given one last opportunity to foretell the Power’s upcoming season, Clarke sends out a warning to their 2015 competitors.
"Look out for Southern Power in 2015.”
LAZIEST, CRAZIEST AND PATRICK SWAYZEST
Laziest person at the club?
"Luke Jansson AKA ‘Barge Arse'/‘ADELAIDE 36er’s’/‘Wide Load’/‘Fringe’/‘Young Blood’. He was huge in more ways than one last year. Always seems to turn up late, pretends to stretch while everyone is doing the warm up (while trying to sledge), and then manages to have time to play with his atrocious fringe before getting his hands on a football.”
Craziest person at the club?
"Andrew Wardrop is definitely up there. There is only one thing he loves more than footy, and that’s 'The Vinyl Room' at 2am on the dance floor. Let’s just say the age group is mostly 30-40 year old women and Wardy wears his heart on his sleeve.”
Patrick Swayzest person at the club?
"Daniel Turner although now ‘retired,' used to think he was a bit of a ladies man. He is the one-liner king, however, now is known around the club as 'Frank the Tank'. Keeps things pretty low key these days, enjoys going to 'Home Depot' and 'Bed Bath and Beyond' if he has time on a nice little Saturday, [but] when let out of the cage, can go ballistic.
Last Modified on 13/03/2015 10:42
