At the end of the 2011 season, Gippsland Power Regional Manager Peter Francis was contacted by Kaine Allen, a player that had been in the Power program previously, and wanted an opportunity to come back to the club.
After a junior career at Maffra, Kaine joined Gippsland Power in 2008 as a bottom age player for the under 15 carnival in Melbourne. In 2009 he returned for a second carnival and had club officials impressed with his strong and disciplined play. The 2010 under 16 carnival in Bendigo was his next commitment for Power but unfortunately his pre-carnival preparation was greatly restricted due to illness.
The coach of the side, Rob Reid, made the necessary allowances for him to have a limited preparation because of the enormous promise that he had shown during his schoolboy years and, by the time the carnival arrived, Kaine was somewhere near full fitness. His response to this consideration was to play consistent good football and he won selection in the state squad as a consequence.
During the nationals in Queensland Kane further enhanced his reputation both on and off the field and emerged from the experience as player of enormous potential for the Power under 18 side in 2011. Things went well until the start of that season when he made the choice to back away from the Power due to a combination of poor health and motivation. As his health improved he spent the rest of the year playing senior football for Boisdale-Briagalong.
After Kaine expressed his desire to once again be a part of the Power program, Peter Francis and Coach Nick Stevens invited him along to try out for the 2012 squad. From Kaine’s first day back he has been outstanding in terms of effort in training and practice matches, the ability to be professional and positive at all times and his willingness to treat all at the club with respect and courtesy. This wonderful attitude was in evidence at the Mt Hotham camp and his leadership qualities shone through, fitting in with the group despite missing the 2011 season with the club.
Kaine has established himself as one of the top players at the club and has all officials and coaches eagerly looking forward to his impact on the Power’s 2012 season. He will lead by outstanding example on and off the field and should have AFL clubs redeveloping their interest in him after his stand out under 16 year. On the eve of round one we welcome Kaine back and wish him well for 2012.
Last Modified on 05/07/2012 21:52
