Men’s News

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

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.”

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.

Ressies legend becomes ressies coach

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A premiership winning player with the Kiama Power in 2017, Jamie Browne returned to the Power ahead of the 2026 season as the new head coach of the men’s reserves side.

A familiar face in Kiama and a regular at Bonaira Oval, Browne was a stalwart of the club, playing 82 games for the Power between 2014 and 2023.

Browne joins a new look men’s coaching group at the Power, including senior head coach Sean Byrne and assistant coach Tom Balding.

With the men’s playing list being the deepest and strongest that it has been in some years, Browne is expected to have a talented roster each week in reserve grade.

Browne has the opportunity to steer his side to a reserve grade premiership in 2026 – just as he did as a player in 2017.

Nash Graham joins the Power

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The Kiama Power are pleased to announce the signing of talented midfielder Nash Graham for the 2026 AFL South Coast season and beyond.

The 24-year-old joins the Club following three seasons at Keysborough FC in Victoria’s Southern Football Netball League.  

Despite a five-year absence from the game prior to 2023, Graham had not lost a step from his decorated junior playing career, as he went on to make 31 appearances for the senior team at Keysborough. 

Hodgey hands the reins to Pudge

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Sam Hodges has informed the club he wishes to step aside from the senior coaching role. However, he will remain in the black and teal, commencing a new role at the club in 2026.

With Sam stepping into his new role as Head of Football Operations, the Kiama Power are pleased to announce that Sean Byrne has been appointed as Senior Coach from season 2026.

Kiama Power President Dirk Ovenden said it is a historic day for the club. 

“Our club is very fortunate to have enjoyed the services of an incredible mentor as our men’s head coach for the past four seasons, and we are thrilled to have him continue at the club in a new and important role.

“At the same time, we are delighted to appoint Sean Byrne as our next Senior Coach. Pudge has already been a great servant of the club and is well qualified and prepared to move into the senior coaching position.”

Ovenden said the succession plan is a win-win for the club.

“Hodgey has been more than just a great senior men’s team coach for us. He has always had a whole-of-club outlook and has been instrumental in our ability to transform the club and create a culture that everyone wants to be a part of.

“He has guided the club through a challenging rebuilding period, all while raising a young family, and was a very deserving winner of the AFL South Coast Senior Coach of the Year award.”

Hodges said his decision was tough to make, however, he is delighted for Byrne and believes he is more than ready to step into the senior coaching role.

“This is the best outcome. I could have continued and we could have made it work again, but after a bit of thought I don’t want that. This group is so close to success, and they deserve someone that can dedicate more time.

“I want success for this club, and Pudge is the guy who will get us there. I believe that.”

Byrne has served the past two seasons as an assistant coach under Hodges, and concurrently as head coach of the Australian Navy rep team, he is well equipped to assume the helm of the Kiama men’s program in 2026.

He has previously served as head coach at the Bomaderry Tigers, with multiple first grade premierships as a player.

Byrne is thrilled to be appointed as head coach and paid homage to his predecessor.

“I want to thank Hodgey and the Kiama football club for the opportunity to be head coach. It really says a lot about the character of Hodgey, once again putting the club first.

“Off the back of his hard work over the last few years, it has us placed very well to be able to launch into next season. His fingerprints will be all over any future success we have as a club.

“My vision is to create a connected team that loves the contest and rises up to the challenge. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get stuck in.”

The club can also confirm that Tom Balding will be the senior men’s assistant coach, who brings a wealth of experience to Kiama after a majority of his playing career spent with Geelong Amateur and St Josephs in the AFL Barwon FNL in Victoria.

Additionally, 82-game club veteran Jamie Browne has been appointed reserves coach, taking over from Tony Grady who is now the senior women’s co-coach alongside Luke Vallence.

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.