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Former Youth All-Australian appointed as U17s girls coach

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The Kiama Power Junior AFL Club are pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Power as the Head Coach of the Under 17s Girls team for 2026.

The aptly-named appointee joins the Power junior coaching ranks with a rich background in Australian Rules Football and Athletics.

In her football career from 2009 to 2012, Stephanie was captain of both the NSW and NSW/ACT teams at the 2011 National AFL Championships.

Power was named in the 2011 Youth Girls All-Australian team, and subsequently attended the combined Women’s and Youth Girls All-Australian High Performance Camp in 2012.

Alongside her AFL achievements, Stephanie has competed as a 100m and 200m sprinter at national level.

More recently, Power has continued to support emerging athletes as team manager for the NSWCCC and NSW All Schools U15 AFL Girls teams, and is passionate about the development of young female athletes in AFL.

Vallence and Grady named as new women’s co-coaches

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The Kiama Australian Football Club is proud to announce the appointment of Luke Vallence and Tony Grady as its new women’s senior co-coaches.

The duo will become the 10th and 11th senior coaches of the club’s women’s football program, arriving with a wealth of experience both on the field and in the coaches’ box.

Grady’s appointment follows two seasons as the club’s Men’s Reserves coach, whereas Vallence arrived at the club in 2025 and assisted with the women’s program before work duties took him away halfway through the season.

“We are incredibly excited to have Luke and Tony as the new senior co-coaches of our women’s program, as we look to further build and promote an enjoyable and inclusive environment for the women at our club,” club president Dirk Ovenden said.

“Luke brings an abundance of experience from his time playing in Western Australia and in the Navy and Defence Force representative teams. I think it’s safe to say that his knowledge and enthusiasm was greatly welcomed last season.

“Tony has proven in the last two seasons as the reserves coach that he is highly competitive and places a strong focus on connection, which we think will be an asset with the women’s playing group.

“As a football club, we’re delighted to be entering this next chapter with Luke and Tony at the helm.”

Vallence said he was full of excitement to be at the helm of an improving women’s squad.

“Kiama has a rich history, and I feel very humbled to be given this opportunity at the best club I’ve ever been apart of,” Vallence said.

“I can’t wait to get to work with Tony and the playing group, and start building towards 2026.”

After learning the ropes under Sam Hodges in the men’s program, Grady is ready to take charge of the senior women’s team.

“In 2025 we were able to recruit really well and add some returning players to the group, and the potential on the list is absolutely incredible ,” Grady said.

“Val and I firmly believe that we can compete for a flag in Premier Division with the gameplan, structure and environment that we want to build.”

The club is aiming to field two women’s teams in 2026, with the goal of also having a team compete in the women’s reserve grade competition.

Historic night as inaugural Scott Phillips Medal crowned in thrilling count

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Kiama’s Hamish Robertson has been named the winner of the inaugural Scott Phillips Medal, capping off a superb debut season at the club’s best and fairest awards night.

The announcement of the newly-named medal was kept as a surprise until the night – with Scott Phillips himself oblivious to the historic moment that was to occur.

Michael Williams had the honour of delivering the news in front of over one hundred Kiama Power players and supporters at the Kiama Leagues Club, in what became a landmark moment in the football club’s 24-year history with Phillips receiving a standing ovation.

Hamish Robertson, who was recruited to the club this season by Phillips, ended the count with 30 votes, just ahead of fellow recruit, Jack Eastwood, who finished in second place with 29 votes. Skipper Josh Simpson (26 votes), Charlie Wood (22 votes) and Lachlan Kirk (17 votes) rounded out the top five.

After being named in the AFL South Coast team of the year and winning the Scott Phillips Medal in his first season at Kiama, Robertson has cemented his status as one of the league’s elite players. The 24-year-old played in every game of the season, showcasing his elite football IQ and unwavering consistency.

Midseason arrival Jack Eastwood’s impressive form in the second half of the Premier Division campaign was highlighted by him voted as the Brendan Johnston Player’s Player award winner by his teammates.

Maddison Aitkin was awarded the Women’s Best & Fairest player of the year, dominating the count with 50 votes in a successful first season in Kiama which also included selection in the AFL South Coast representative team and voted the winner of the Sue Hilton Player’s Player award.

Elissa Rhodes’ strong return season saw her finish the count with 40 votes, while new recruits Maddie Edwards (25 votes) and Teneale Keene (25 votes) rounded out the podium finish.

Jayden Wilshire was recognised for his stellar season in Reserve Grade, winning both the Paul Doherty Memorial Best & Fairest Trophy and Tom Rawson Player’s Player awards.

Patrick Haig was deservedly recognised by his peers for his outstanding service to the club and community, as he was named the Darren Williams Clubperson of the Year winner.

Best & Fairest Voting System
Judges vote individually each round via a 3, 2, 1 voting system. The votes are applied to the three players they deem to have performed best in that game.

3 – Standout best on ground
2 – Second-best on ground
1 – Third-best on ground

Three judges per grade vote each week, with a player able to receive a maximum of 9 votes in any one game.

Other award winners

Rising Stars – Emma Trudgett & Darcy Hopson
Men’s First Grade Most Consistent – Josh Simpson
Men’s First Grade Coach’s Award – Thomas Bell
Men’s First Grade Leading Goalkicker – Thomas Bell
Women’s First Grade Most Consistent – Jade Quigley
Women’s First Grade Coach’s Award – Madison Mitchell
Women’s First Grade Leading Goalkicker – Shellee Gibson
Men’s Reserve Grade Most Consistent – Harvey Johnson
Men’s Reserve Grade Coach’s Award – Joel Cooney
Men’s Reserve Grade Leading Goalkicker – Jayden Andrews

Tickets on sale now for 2025 Presentation Night

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The 2025 Kiama Power AFC Presentation night is set for Friday, September 19 as we celebrate a successful 2025 season. Join players, coaches and supporters for an evening not to be missed.

Date: Friday, September 19
Time: From 6:30pm
Location: Kiama Leagues Club
Dress code: Lounge suit, cocktail

Tickets are now on sale here, for $50 per person.

The major event of our social calendar, this night will feature a three-course dinner as we celebrate our many successes through 2025 and look back at the season.

The night will be capped off with the announcement of our 2025 Best and Fairest winners across our three senior teams.

Other awards that will be announced on the night include:

Darren Williams Club Person Of The Year
Rising Star
Player’s Player
Runner Up Best and Fairest
Most Consistent
Coach’s Award
Leading Goalkicker

Lighting upgrade for Bonaira Oval

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The NSW Government will shine a light on Kiama Power by investing in lighting upgrades that will boost the club’s entire operation.

The Minns Labor Government has committed $275,000 to deliver new lighting to Bonaira Oval which will expand our ability to train, compete, and connect both female and male players in a safe and sustainable way.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper was joined by Katelin McInerney – Labor candidate for the upcoming Kiama by-election – along with Power players and officials, and AFL South Coast representatives, to deliver the news at Bonaira Oval this afternoon.

Late last year, we held a review of our facilities at Bonaira Oval, requesting new ideas and areas requiring improvement.

A trending concern across a majority of stakeholders – in both the junior and senior clubs – highlighted the need for better lighting at our home ground.

The installation of 150 lux LED lighting will improve visibility on the field during competition and training at Bonaira Oval – providing a safer environment for football and keeping up with current community AFL venue standards.

The funding is part of the Government’s investment of over a million dollars in community sporting organisations across the Kiama region as part of ongoing work to boost participation and deliver fit for purpose facilities.

Power confirm signing of Maddie Edwards

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The Kiama Power are pleased to announce the signing of Maddie Edwards for the remainder of the season.
 
The 24-year-old joins the club immediately in a move that is significant for our women’s program and further promotes the growing strength of the AFL South Coast Women’s Premier Division.
 
A talented midfielder and experienced leader, Edwards has starred in the VFLW with Richmond and Williamstown. She was Williamstown’s Player’s Player award winner and Best & Fairest runner-up in 2023 before becoming a valued member of the Seagulls’ leadership group in 2024. She was previously the captain of the Coburg Lions inaugural women’s team in the Premier Division of the South Eastern Women’s League of Victoria.
 
Maddie arrives in Kiama with 31 VFLW games under her belt since graduating from the Talent League with Eastern Ranges, with her experience, skills, and leadership qualities being a fantastic addition to the Power – both on and off the field.
 
The club is thrilled to welcome Maddie and her partner to the Power family.

Tyrone Mitchell joins Kiama from Inner West

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Experienced forward Tyrone Mitchell has joined the Kiama Power in a move which is set to bolster the club’s premiership chances.

The Irymple junior completed a transfer from Inner West last month, following the signing of Mitchell’s good friend and Navy colleague Jack Eastwood.

Known for his explosive and dynamic playing style and goal-scoring ability, the 27-year-old will become the fifth Royal Australian Navy representative player in Kiama men’s playing list this season – alongside Jack Eastwood, Odin Brown, Luke Vallence and Max Whiticker.

Playing his junior football with the Irymple Eagles in Victoria’s Sunraysia Football Netball League, Mitchell progressed to play 96 games for the senior club and won a first grade premiership in 2019.

Tyrone Mitchell (#1) celebrates Irymple's 2019 senior premiership win. Photo: Carmel Zaccone.

Mitchell then moved to Melbourne due to his work commitments, finishing runner-up in the Cerberus Bulldogs best and fairest votes in 2021, followed by a move to Sydney where he continued to play with the Inner West Magpies.

With 127 senior games experience, the crafty forward will bolster the Power as they look to become a premiership contender again.

Kiama Power men’s assistant coach and Navy head coach, Sean Byrne, welcomed Mitchell to the club.

“We are delighted to welcome Tyrone to the Power,” Byrne said.

“We identified Tyrone as someone that has the ability to be a match winner and after undergoing a thorough recruitment strategy, we believe he will add great value to our team.

“Having watched Tyrone closely from his time in the Navy football program and witnessing how loved he is by his teammates, I’m very excited about his potential to thrive here in Kiama in the Power environment.”

Mitchell’s first game for Kiama is scheduled for 24th May when the club hosts Sir Doug Nicholls Round at Bonaira Oval.

Six from Kiama named in South Coast squads

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AFL Sydney, AFL Canberra, AFL South Coast and AFL Hunter Central Coast have named the coaches and athletes selected to represent the leagues’ best at the highly anticipated NSW/ACT Men’s and Women’s Senior Representative games on Saturday 10 May. 

The handpicked squad lists for the Representative games have been identified from across the state and territory and showcase the next generation of burgeoning footy talent on the pathway to the elite level. 

The intense match-ups between AFL South Coast and AFL Hunter Central Coast will open the day of Representative footy at Blacktown International Sports Park, before AFL Sydney and AFL Canberra reignite their rivalry to close the competition series.

The Kiama Power have six players selected across the men’s and women’s squads, including new recruits Maddison Aitkin and Teneale Keene.

Laura Kent has been selected in the women’s squad following a stellar 2024 season, which culminated in her being named in the AFL South Coast Women’s Team of the Year.

Dakota Mason adds another representative honour to her lengthy resume with her maiden selection in the South Coast women’s squad, with Cooper Richards also earning his first nod in the men’s squad.

Lachlan Kirk once again returns to the South Coast representative team after two seasons in Adelaide.

Fans, family and friends will be able to catch all the action from the NSW/ACT Men’s and Women’s Senior Representative games live and FREE via AFL Sydney’s official streaming partner, Streamer.

Match details:

AFL Hunter Central Coast v AFL South Coast   
Date: Saturday, 10 May 
Venue: Blacktown International Sports Park – Oval 1
Match times: Women’s commencing at 11.00am and Men’s at 12.50pm
Watch: Live via Streamer
Entry: Free

AFL Sydney v AFL Canberra
Date: Saturday, 10 May 
Venue: Blacktown International Sports Park – Oval 1
Match times: Men’s at 3.00pm and Women’s commencing at 5.30pm 
Watch: Live via Streamer
Entry: Free

Byrne and Vallence to represent ADF

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The Kiama Power are thrilled to announce the selection of Luke Vallence to play for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) All Stars, with Sean Byrne appointed as assistant coach.

The Kiama pair have arrived in camp in Adelaide ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Australian Combined Emergency Services (ACES), which will serve as a curtain raiser to Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.

Vallence, who signed with Kiama in the pre-season, was selected from his recent appearance for the Navy at the ADF carnival last month in Melbourne.

Power assistant coach Byrne was appointed to the ADF coaching role following his successful ADF carnival campaign in his first year as the Navy’s head coach.

“We are excited for Pudge (Byrne) on his selection,” said Kiama head coach Sam Hodges.

“Our language and game plan comes from him, so it’s a worthy nod to the hard work that he puts in.”

First bounce at Adelaide Oval will be 1:25pm ACDT, with Byrne also reciting The Ode prior to the main AFL game.

Kiama announce signing of Fynn Ackerley

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The Power are pleased to announce the signing of talented, young midfielder Fynn Ackerley from Red Hill in the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League.

The 21-year-old was named in the Herald Sun as one the top young players in the MPFNL in 2024, playing 17 games of the season in Red Hill’s senior team.

“Has a great football brain; understands and reads the game well. He works equally well inside or outside the contest. And he’s displayed leadership qualities too.”

Ackerley’s arrival is expected to further propel Kiama’s chances this season after the team’s impressive performance in their first outing for 2025.

“Fynn is a top-class player who will be a great asset for our club over the coming seasons,” said Power Head Coach Sam Hodges.

“He has played in one of the best leagues in Victoria and has proven himself as one of the best young players from the area.

“We look forward to welcoming Fynn and his partner Liv to Kiama next month.”

The South Mornington junior will be available for selection in May.