Power Media

Round 1 wins secure Paul Doherty Cup

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After many years, the Kiama Power finally secured the Paul Doherty Cup from the Wollongong Bulldogs.

Huge wins in Men’s Premier Division, Men’s Reserve Grade and Women’s Reserve Grade secured the result, as the Cup now returns to it’s rightful place in Kiama.

Men’s Prems 17.11 (113) def. Wollongong Bulldogs 6.7 (43)
Goals: R. Hartwig (4), S. Hammond (2), T. Balding (2), L. Vallence (2), S. Phillips (2), E. Marley, L. Zeschke, E. McGee, R. Walker, F. Ackerley
Best: F. Ackerley, S. Hammond, D. Freeman, W. Stewart, E. Marley, E. McGee

Women’s Prems 0.3 (3) def. by Wollongong Bulldogs 7.9 (51)
Best: T. Keene, J. Quigley, S. Detheridge, E. Doyle, E. Rhodes, C. Richards

Men’s Reserves 7.11 (53) def. Wollongong Bulldogs 5.2 (32)
Goals: M. Whiticker (2), T. Grady, J. Kennedy, G. Hicks, R. Browne, T. Williams
Best: L. Ball, M. Whiticker, J. Andrews, J. Murphy, D. Hopson, K. Hollands

Women’s Reserves 7.13 (55) def. Wollongong Bulldogs 3.0 (18)
Goals: S. Gibson (2), T. Moylan (2), C. Sheldon, P. Mason, C. Smith
Best: A. Freimanis, T. Moylan, L. Kent, P. Mason, E. Waine, G. Pusell

Debutants and Returning Former Juniors Headline Round 1 Squads

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13 club debutants, and the return of a former junior, headline Kiama Power’s team selections for their Round 1 clash with the Bulldogs on Saturday. 

As revealed last month, former Kiama junior Will Stewart will make his long-awaited return on Saturday in the club’s season opener against Wollongong at Keira Oval. 

Five other men’s players will also wear black and teal for the first time on Saturday, with new recruits Ryley Walker, Liam Zeschke, Dan Freeman, Rhys Hartwig, Nash Graham and Jamie Reay all named for their official Kiama debuts.  

Meanwhile two former Kiama juniors, Fynn and Oliver Baget, will take on the Bulldogs and make their debut in the senior side after spending some seasons at The Entrance Bateau Bay and UNSW Eastern Suburbs respectively.

Star skipper Josh Simpson will lead his side against the Bulldogs on Saturday, with new head coach Sean Byrne hopeful that his side begins their season with a strong showing against the Bulldogs.

For the Kiama women, six debutants will pull on the Power jumper for the first time this Saturday when their Women’s Premier Division match begins at 12:10pm.

Sophee Turner and Siane Fonua have arrived in Kiama from the ADFA Rams, and will line up alongside first-games Jazmin Tikkeros, Bel Piper and Lara McGee as the team begin their 2026 campaign against last season’s preliminary finalists.

Tiana Darragh will also make her debut in the Power senior team, after an incredible U17 season which saw her awarded the 2024 Rising Star.

After a long summer and a pair of pre-season games, the Power will now look to kick off their 2026 campaign with a win and look to reclaim the Paul Doherty Cup. 

AFL South Coast Round 1 

Bulldogs v Power
Saturday, April 11
Men’s Premier Division 1:50pm
Women’s Premier Division 12:10pm
Keira Oval | Dharawal

The milestones you can expect in 2026

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With only days until the 2026 AFL South Coast season and off the back of a strong pre-season there is plenty to be excited for – including 26 players looking to play milestone matches (subject to change). 

250 games 

On June 27 the Kiama Power Men’s Reserve Grade will run out on North Dalton Park in Round 9 against the Wollongong Lions. The event is also expected to play host to Tom Williams’ 250th club game – and the first Power player to reach the milestone.

The 32-year-old forward made his debut in 2009 season and quickly became a regular on the club’s playing roster, and was a member of the 2011 First Grade premiership-winning team.

200 games 

Rob Beaumont could play his 200th club match as soon as Round 9 in the same game as Williams – becoming only the 5th Kiama Power player to reach the double ton.

The classy fullback made his debut in 2010 after arriving from the Bathurst Bushrangers, and was a key member in premiership-winning teams in 2011 (First Grade) and 2017 (Reserve Grade).

Men’s captain Josh Simpson is also scheduled to reach 200 club games in Round 12, as the Power host Northern Districts on July 18 at Bonaira Oval.

The milestone would add to an ever-growing list of accomplishments which includes the 2018 First Grade premiership and 2023 Club Best & Fairest Player.

100 games 

Women’s co-captain Cassie O’Leary (87) is locked in a head-to-head race with Amanda Williams (85) to become the first women’s player to reach 100 club games, as they are both currently expected to reach the milestone in August if available for selection every week. Both players were members of the club’s inaugural women’s team in 2018.

Lewis Tomlinson is expected to play his 100th club game in June, with former captain Lachlan Kirk potentially reaching the century if the Men’s Premier Division team progress to this year’s grand final. 

50 games  

Rounding out milestones this season, 19 players are expected to reach 50 games this season.

If selected in every match:

  • Bryce Koop (Round 5 v Figtree) 
  • Max Cook, Sam Wallace, Shea Hammond (Round 6 v Lions / Bay & Basin)
  • Jade Quigley (Round 8 v Figtree)
  • Jayden Andrews (Round 9 v Lions)
  • Patrick in het Panhuis, Taigh Borthwick (Round 11 v Figtree)
  • Emma Doyle, Harry Wallace (Round 12 v Lions / Norths)
  • Max Whiticker (Round 13 v Bulldogs)
  • Andie Ettridge, Dan Shanahan, Summer Moylan (Round 14 v Bomaderry)
  • Tara Bancroft, Will Prosser (Round 15 v Bulldogs / Port Kembla)
  • Ethan McGee, Will Blomley, Will Stewart (Round 17 v Shellharbour / Norths)
Categories Uncategorised

CLUB STATEMENT: Matchday ID Checks

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The Kiama Power support the recommendation from AFL South Coast to introduce compulsory matchday identification checks for participating players in all senior competitions throughout the 2026 season.

Our club will provide licensed security to perform these checks for each away team at Bonaira Oval this year, at our own expense.

This will ensure the confirmed identity match the names listed on the official team sheet, particularly after the June 30 transfer deadline.

Kiama will adopt a 100-point identification check to comply with the recommendation, which will require a combination of documents totalling 100 points to verify player identity.

Failure to comply with the identification verification check will result in refusal to enter the change rooms and playing area.

This check will include at least one primary identification, a photo ID,  and proof of current residential address, with all documents being originals.

Point breakdown:

60 Points (Primary): Birth Certificate, Current Passport, Citizenship Certificate.

30 Points (Secondary – must have photo): Driver’s Licence, Government Photo Card, Tertiary Student ID.

10 Points (Secondary – name/address): Medicare card, Credit/Bank card, Utility bill, Electoral roll.

The recommendation is the first of upcoming changes for AFL South Coast competitions, as a strict financial salary cap is set to be introduced in Men’s and Women’s Premier Divisions following the abnormally high influx of AFL Sydney Premier Division players for the 2026 season – with one South Coast club withholding the announcement of at least six players to avoid drawing any attention to their exceeded player point cap or excessive match payments.

The Kiama Power remain committed to working collaboratively with AFL South Coast to maintain integrity and fairness within our league.

Some of this is April Fools, some of this is real. You decide.

Old Boys Day locked in for 18th April

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The annual Old Boys Day will be held on 18th April, as the Kiama Power take on the Bomaderry Tigers in Round 2 action.

It’s a huge year for Kiama Power, as the club celebrates it’s 25th anniversary.

Old Boys Day is one of the biggest events of the year, and is a great opportunity for our heroes of yesteryear to catch up with lifelong mates at their old stomping ground.

There is a lot of excitement and optimism around the club at the moment, as we’ve just had one of the biggest pre-seasons in the club’s history after a huge off-season recruitment campaign.

And yes, Old Boys’ favourite Scotty Phillips is still playing!

All former players, family, friends and supporters are invited to attend the day.

Date: Saturday, 18th April 2026
Time: Games from 9:00am, with Men’s Premier Division at 1:50pm
Venue: Bonaira Oval, Kiama

Men’s Premier Division 1:50PM
Women’s Premier Division 12:10PM
Men’s Reserve Grade 10:30AM
Women’s Reserve Grade 9:00AM

Women’s match report from Googong

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The Kiama Power women’s team claimed a 40-point victory over the 2025 AFL Canberra Community Division One premiers, Googong Hogs, in a pre-season practice match at Rockley Oval last Saturday.

The match is one of two pre-season hit-outs before the Power’s AFL South Coast season officially kicks off on Saturday, April 11 at Keira Oval.

Kiama kicked the first goal of the match through new recruit Sophee Turner, who benefited from the defensive pressure of her teammates further up the field, which earned a free kick for the ball to travel deep inside 50m where Turner made the most of the opportunity.

Six inside-50’s and a goal from midfielder Maddi Aitkin, plus two goals to key forward Courtney Smith, saw the Power take a 19-point lead into the first change as the Power’s back six valliantly defended Googong’s seven inside-50’s whilst only conceding one goal.

New recruit Jazmin Tikkeros put forward a strong case for a Round 1 debut, with her presence in the midfield resulting in a forward-50 entry in the first minute of the second term, allowing Courtney Smith to bag her third goal for the day.

In her first ever game of football, Abby Freimanis performed strongly in the ruck, gifting her midfielders with first-use of the football and taking strong contested marks, with Savamah Detheridge kicking a goal on the back of a Freimanis intercept mark inside-50.

Power head coach Tony Grady said Freimanis played her role well in an impressive outing, alongside a number of new Power players.

“Abby kept getting getter throughout the game, and once she realised she could consistently win the taps, she was serving the footy on a platter for our mids,” Grady said.

“Lara McGee was solid in defense in the first half alongside Emer Perry, and Lara moved forward in the second half and kicked a great goal.”

Second half goals to Lara McGee, Carra Sheldon and Courtney Smith sealed the victory for Kiama, but coach Grady was most pleased with his team’s defensive efforts which held Googong to score only 1.1 in the second half.

“In the third quarter we kept the ball in our forward half for over 13 minutes, which was all on the back of our defensive structure and relentless pressure,” Grady said.

“The girls continued that in the last quarter, not allowing the opposition past halfway until the very last minute. Credit again to our front-half defensive pressure.”

Midfielders Maddie Edwards and Maddi Aitkin were influential in the pre-season hit out, and were superbly supported in the midfield by talented ruck Teneale Keene, junior star Grace Vernon-Rogers and new recruits Siane Fonua and Jazmin Tikkeros.

Another Kiama junior player, Chloe Richards, was constantly a threat from half-back and her pinpoint kicking accuracy allowed the Power to transition the ball from their defensive end with ease. 

Forward Courtney Smith capped the win with a terrific goal in the fourth quarter, her fourth major for the day, to secure the 9.11-65 to 4.1-25 victory. 

KIAMA 9.11-65
GOOGONG 4.1-25

Goals
Kiama: Courtney Smith (4), Carra Sheldon, Maddi Aitkin, Lara McGee, Savanah Detheridge, Sophee Turner

Next week, Kiama will host the Wollongong Bulldogs for an official practice match on Saturday, March 1 at 1.00pm at Bonaira Oval.

Men’s match report from Googong

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There were plenty of positives to come out of last Saturday’s pre-season practice matches in Googong, as the Kiama Power men’s squad outscored the Wollongong Bulldogs and Googong Hogs.

Playing four 22-minute quarters at Rockley Oval, Sean Byrne’s men made the trip down the Hume Highway, with the likes of Josh Simpson, Toby Trudgett and Shea Hammond in the midfield, and Harry Wallace and Max Cook featuring in the backline.

Despite missing Jack Eastwood, Jamison Lynn, Luke Vallence, Max Whiticker, Odin Brown and Ryley Walker due to Navy representative duties, and only seven of last year’s regular senior team making the trip south, the remainder of the Kiama squad took part in Saturday’s intense hit-out as the Power turned up the heat ahead of their final practice match against the Woden Blues on Saturday, March 21 in Kiama.

TERRIFIC TOBY 

One of the stories of the day was the dominant form of emerging star, Toby Trudgett. 

Playing predominantly in the midfield, the electric 19-year-old finished the day with 25 disposals and took multiple intercept marks in an eye-catching display. 

Not only was he dangerous with the ball, Trudgett also made chasedown tackles inside Kiama’s forward 50m and was deemed as Head of Football Operations Sam Hodges’ best player on the day. 

“Trudge was doing a lot of the one-percenters exceptionally well as a mid,” Hodges said.

RISING RHYS

While Trudgett went about his business in the middle of the ground, Rhys Hartwig stole the show up forward to prove that he’s ready to make a big impact in his new colours in 2026. 

Primarily playing as a full forward, Hartwig kicked one goal in two quarters against the Bulldogs, before getting into his groove for a strong showing as he kicked four majors in the following two quarters against the Hogs.

Hartwig’s second half performance included six contested marks inside 50m. 

Providing a glimpse of how dynamic their partnership could be, Hartwig combined brilliantly with fellow recruit Liam Zeschke as both key forwards provided plenty of options in the front half of the ground as they look to become permanent fixtures in the Power forward line this season.

MAGIC McGEE

Last year Ethan McGee had a breakout campaign which saw the youngster regularly featured as one of the best players in reserve grade, and was always reliable when called into the senior team.  

The talented midfielder – who has been one of the shining lights on the track across the pre-season – was everywhere in Saturday’s practice match, finding plenty of the footy from half-back and running on top of the ground to play a huge role in the Power’s surging playing style.

RESULTS
First Half vs Bulldogs
Kiama 5.4-34
Wollongong 4.3-27

Second Half vs Hogs
Kiama 6.4-40
Googong 5.5-35

The next phase of Kiama’s pre-season preparations will see the Power men take on the Woden Blues at Bonaira Oval on Saturday, March 21 at 11am.  

Will returns to the Power

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Will Stewart will return home to Kiama and pull on the black and teal jumper again in season 2026.

Stewart has committed to the Power after a few years away from the club, and is another key signing which adds to the biggest recruitment campaign in the club’s history.

The 26-year-old ruckman will return home after one season with the Northern Districts Tigers.

Stewart will return to play his fourth season for Kiama, after three years at the Power between 2017 and 2021, along with two seasons in the Farrer League with Charles Sturt University. Previously he played a whopping 168 junior games in Kiama. 

Kiama’s Head of Football Operations Sam Hodges welcomed Stewart back to the Power.

“We are very pleased to have Will return to the club and the Kiama family,” Hodges said.

“Will is still playing exceptional football, and really dominated us in the last quarter of a game for Norths last year where they rallied back and beat us by a goal. He obviously has a long association with the club being a Power junior, so it’s an exciting signing for everyone involved with the club. 

“We know in talking to Will that he is thrilled about coming back to Kiama.”

2026 Season Launch

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The Kiama Power will officially kick off their 25th season with the club’s 2026 Season Launch night, to be held at the Kiama Power Clubrooms, Bonaira Oval on Saturday, 21st March.

The event comes just 21 days before Kiama’s opening round Men’s and Women’s Premier Division matches against the Wollongong Lions and Wollongong Bulldogs at Bonaira Oval.

The evening will include guernsey presentations to the 2026 playing groups from their new coaches, plus the club’s $1,000 Draw.

RSVP here by Monday 16th March.

Date: Saturday, 21st March 2026
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Kiama Power Clubrooms, Bonaira Oval
Dress code: Cocktail, lounge suit, semi-formal

Welcome Liam Zeschke

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The Kiama Power are delighted to announce the signing of talented utility Liam Zeschke for the 2026 season.

Zeschke, 29, arrives at the club after winning the 2025 AFL South Coast Reserve Grade premiership with the Bay & Basin Bombers.

Originally a product of the Deniliquin Rovers, Zeschke has also spent some seasons in Melbourne with South Yarra (Southern FL) and Old Geelong (VAFA).

A gifted footballer with the ability to play anywhere on the field, Zeschke can be utilised as centre halfback, centre half forward and in the midfield.

Former Bay & Basin teammate and 2025 Scott Phillips Medallist, Hamish Robertson, praised Zeschke with a simple statement.

“The guy can play,” he said.