Debutants and Returning Former Juniors Headline Round 1 Squads

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

Teams named for Family Day

The Power have named their first Men’s Premier Division lineup for 2025, plus some changes to the women and reserves teams, ahead of their clash with Figtree on Saturday celebrating Family Day and raising funds for Heart Research Australia.

Hamish Robertson has been named to make his debut for Kiama, with Lachlan Kirk, Charlie Wood and Thomas Bell announced to make their returns after some time away from their home club.

Luke Vallence is a late out after suffering a hamstring injury during the week at training, with coach Sam Hodges preferring to wait until after the Easter weekend break to make a call on the midfield recruit.

Jason Pavser has been named to start in the ruck in just his second game, following his three-goal club debut in reserve grade last week.

Meanwhile, the women’s team will look to continue their electric form as they take on defending premiers Figtree Saints on Saturday, who are now mentored by last year’s Kiama coach Steve Defranceschi.

Cassie O’Leary, Maddi Aitkin and Teneale Keene are all unavailable for Saturday’s match with the Saints after starring in last week’s convincing win against Bomaderry.

Round 2 Men’s Premier Division

Power v Kangaroos
Saturday, April 12 at 2:10pm
Bonaira Oval

B: Max Cook, Harry Wallace, Patrick in het Panhuis
HB: Josh Simpson, Hamish Robertson, Sean Byrne
C: Kade Ovenden, Lachlan Kirk, Cooper Richards
HF: Charlie Wood, Odin Brown, Will Blomley
F: Toby Trudgett, Josh Walton, Shea Hammond
FOL: Jason Pavser, Joel Hensman, Michael Williams
INT: Thomas Bell, Harvey Johnson, Harry Lawrence, Lewis Tomlinson
EM: Ethan McGee, Dylan Welsh

Milestone: Hamish Robertson (debut), Jason Pavser (debut), Harry Lawrence (debut)

Round 2 Women’s Premier Division

Power v Saints
Saturday, April 12 at 12:20pm
Bonaira Oval

B: Leah Quigley, Laura Kent
HB: Savanah Detheridge, Jade Quigley, Tara Bancroft
C: Andie Ettridge, Imogen Fowles, Summer Moylan
HF: Carra Sheldon, Emma Doyle, Courtney Smith
F: Shellee Gibson, Madeleine Bakker
FOL: Chelsea Blanch, Dakota Mason, Erin Willetts
INT: Elissa Rhodes, Olivia Falconer, Amanda Williams, Georgia Thomas

Milestone: Savanah Detheridge (debut)

Round 2 Men’s Reserve Grade

Power v Kangaroos
Saturday, April 12 at 10:30am
Bonaira Oval

B: Joel Cooney, Blair Turner, Daniel Shanahan
HB: Mathew Lawson, Anthony Hourigan, Jeremy Boonstra
C: Taigh Borthwick, Dylan Welsh, Ethan McGee
HF: Anthony Grady, Tom Williams, Joshua Kennedy
F: Samuel Wallace, Jayden Andrews, Liam Ovenden
FOL: Rory Doyle, Sonny Ettridge, Christian Haigh
INT: George Hicks, Jordon Kirk, Jayden Wilshere, Steven White

Milestone: Joel Cooney (debut), Blair Turner (debut), George Hicks (debut), Jordon Kirk (debut)