Player Watch #24: Tom Powell - signed thru 2026 - finishes 5th in the 2024 SBM.

[Moti]

Moti Season Review:

Rating: B

Did the work in the off-season and came back fit and lifted his defensive work, particularly tackling. Had some great games, some poor games but most were in the solid range. While tackling has improved, his ball use went the same way as Sheez and Colby and was patchy. His lack of athletic traits is his biggest issue moving forward with Sheez the no.1 slow mid and the need to add speed works against him. Some think wing or flank, I just can't see it.

Pre-Season focus: Power & Acceleration, continued physical development

Projected 2026 position: VFL/AFL bubble - Midfield

 

[7577969923]

Their drafting has been infinitely better than ours. We need to close the gap, especially with picks outside the top 20. Before someone quotes this with Trembath (good start, more of these types please) or Larkey (2017) I mean recently.

Getting a player from the second round of the MSD could be viewed as somewhat of a miracle. It looks like we even hid him away to keep others off the scent. Trying not to get too excited by Trembath, but 9 goals in his first three games, plus the way he went about it, was very impressive. If he were a high draft pick you'd still be absolutely impressed.

There is a chance that our first choice forward line next year will be:

Larkey - pick 73 2016 National Draft
Zurhaar - pick 11 2017 Rookie Draft
Trembath - pick 10 (2nd round) 2025 Mid-Season Draft
Geordie Payne - pick 1 2024 MSD
Jack Darling - Traded for a 4th round pick in the 2024 National Draft
Paul Curtis - pick 35 2021 National Draft

The other options likely to get games are:

Zak Banch - Pick 2 2025 MSD
Jacob Konstanty - Steak Knives on the Luke Parker for pick 44 in the 2024 National Draft trade
Cooper Harvey - Pick 56 (Father Son) 2022 National Draft

That would have to be one of the most bargain basement, in terms of draft and trade capital expended, forward lines ever assembled. Hopefully, our top-end draft picks that we have bought in as potential forwards, like Dursma and Whitlock, make big strides in 2026.

I don't think it's the truly speculative picks we have struggled with. How many guys are getting regular games who were second-round picks? Comben and ...??? We have basically gotten bugger all from picks between 20 and 50 for the last ten years.

 

[tazaa]

Good thing we picked Paul Curtis at 35 in 2021. SEN upped that to 9 or something in a redraft recently but he'd arguably go a fair bit higher given what he brings - even despite how strong that draft was.

If you look at our best players, outside of LDU and Sheezel we drafted Curtis at 35, Xerri at 72, Larkey at 73 and Zurhaar as a rookie.
For where the list is currently at, maybe the Football Gods did show mercy on us because to get quality from those selections is as much as getting kissed on the dick as you can hope to be. We got lucky here.

If we had nailed our top selections and they had come on as expected - we'd be playing a game of football next week, I guarantee it.

 

[Val Keating]

I've maintained for a whole now that I think we didn't do enough analysis of future drafts in our recruitment, and we totally misread 2019 which is shaping as a super draft.

That was one of the main reasons for bringing Shiels in. He wanted a career in talent identification and started following junior footy before he hung up the boots.

 

[hilly]

Getting a player from the second round of the MSD could be viewed as somewhat of a miracle. It looks like we even hid him away to keep others off the scent. Trying not to get too excited by Trembath, but 9 goals in his first three games, plus the way he went about it, was very impressive. If he were a high draft pick you'd still be absolutely impressed.

There is a chance that our first choice forward line next year will be:

Larkey - pick 73 2016 National Draft
Zurhaar - pick 11 2017 Rookie Draft
Trembath - pick 10 (2nd round) 2025 Mid-Season Draft
Geordie Payne - pick 1 2024 MSD
Jack Darling - Traded for a 4th round pick in the 2024 National Draft
Paul Curtis - pick 35 2021 National Draft

The other options likely to get games are:

Zak Banch - Pick 2 2025 MSD
Jacob Konstanty - Steak Knives on the Luke Parker for pick 44 in the 2024 National Draft trade
Cooper Harvey - Pick 56 (Father Son) 2022 National Draft

That would have to be one of the most bargain basement, in terms of draft and trade capital expended, forward lines ever assembled. Hopefully, our top-end draft picks that we have bought in as potential forwards, like Dursma and Whitlock, make big strides in 2026.

I don't think it's the truly speculative picks we have struggled with. How many guys are getting regular games who were second-round picks? Comben and ...??? We have basically gotten bugger all from picks between 20 and 50 for the last ten years.

Agree on Trembath, hope we are patient and understand there will be ups and downs. Also agree on the 20-50 pick dearth.

I'm not convinced on any of these names:

Darling (been good but getting on)
Payne
Banch
Konstanty
Harvey

 

[Val Keating]

Getting a player from the second round of the MSD could be viewed as somewhat of a miracle. It looks like we even hid him away to keep others off the scent. Trying not to get too excited by Trembath, but 9 goals in his first three games, plus the way he went about it, was very impressive. If he were a high draft pick you'd still be absolutely impressed.

There is a chance that our first choice forward line next year will be:

Larkey - pick 73 2016 National Draft
Zurhaar - pick 11 2017 Rookie Draft
Trembath - pick 10 (2nd round) 2025 Mid-Season Draft
Geordie Payne - pick 1 2024 MSD
Jack Darling - Traded for a 4th round pick in the 2024 National Draft
Paul Curtis - pick 35 2021 National Draft

The other options likely to get games are:

Zak Banch - Pick 2 2025 MSD
Jacob Konstanty - Steak Knives on the Luke Parker for pick 44 in the 2024 National Draft trade
Cooper Harvey - Pick 56 (Father Son) 2022 National Draft

That would have to be one of the most bargain basement, in terms of draft and trade capital expended, forward lines ever assembled. Hopefully, our top-end draft picks that we have bought in as potential forwards, like Dursma and Whitlock, make big strides in 2026.

I don't think it's the truly speculative picks we have struggled with. How many guys are getting regular games who were second-round picks? Comben and ...??? We have basically gotten bugger all from picks between 20 and 50 for the last ten years.

Even had the cheek to play him as a defender. Great piece of work that.

 

[Chadwiko]

Moti Season Review:

Rating: B

 

[7577969923]

Agree on Trembath, hope we are patient and understand there will be ups and downs. Also agree on the 20-50 pick dearth.

I'm not convinced on any of these names:

Darling (been good but getting on)
Payne
Banch
Konstanty
Harvey

If we could mash Konstanty and Harvey into one player, we'd have something decent.

 

[chubbspeterson]

And now there is a little pressure on both Duursma and Whitlock to be successes as unfortunately this rebuild really depends on top end talent coming on.
Sheezel, Wardlaw, Kerch and FOS is not enough.

Our top 5 players are considered elite in Sheezel, LDU, Curtis, Larkey and Xerri.

All however had years impacted by form, suspension or injury. Explains why we finished 16th.

The next group to round out our top 10 is FOS, Colby and Zurhaar who had his career best season to date. Parker played his role and Wardlaw finished off the year well. But he found himself in the VFL after he was concussed. Not exactly humming.

Then what? Outside of that 10 we than have Comben who we need to really kick on, Hardeman to become a mainstay in defence, Archer to get fit again and hope Trembath can continue to make strides to support Larkey. But none of this is guaranteed.

And so this is where our recruitment and development has not been up to scratch as three years into the Clarko rebuild, we probably expected to be a bit more advanced then where we are right now.

Can we get more out of Goater, Durrsma, Harvey, Banch, George, etc. These boys are still kids. Improvement will need to come from players on the fringes of the 22, as well as from our core to help us turn those losses into wins.

For whatever reason, North always has a gap in the 22-26 age group that sides wanting to play finals always has its core group set in.

I do believe we set out to rectify this in 2019 and this prompted us giving up our 1st rounder to Melbourne.
Clearly the club thought bringing in 2 mids to support LDU and Thomas was the plan (Higgins, Ziebell, Cunnington, Tarrant were just too told) and it’s backfired spectacularly.
So in fairness we tried to address the inequality in the list but still ****ed it up.
It’s why Rawlings really needs to go. It’s got his hands all over it and the longer he hangs around the more damage he can inflict.

I really hope LDU, Larkey, Xerri and Zurhaar are still performing at a high enough standard, so that if we ever move back up the ladder again, they’ll be there in September. They deserve to see some success.

But I really just can’t get over the failures the club routinely collects and there is so much pressure on us next year to finally make strides back up the ladder - I don’t know if the club and the players can rise above the expectation.

I think we're a little bit too obsessed with the high end picks being the thing to carry this rebuild.
We put far too much pressure on them to develop as quickly as possible.
Don't get me wrong they turn games in the GF, but you can find and develop elite players anywhere in the draft.

That Lions team had some elite talent (Raynor, Ashcroft, McLuggage etc.) for sure, but they also had plenty of later R1 picks (Hipwood, Wilmot, Lohmann , Berry, Fletcher, Starcevich etc.), R2/R3/R4/R5 picks (Morris, Lester, Andrews, Payne etc.) and traded-in players (Daniher, Neale, Dunkley, Cameron etc) who made important contributions.
It took them 8 years to build it and a lot of those Lions players had 6+ years in the system and look like men compared to our boys who are just finding their way, so patience is still required in some respect.

But generally you are right with our talent I.D. and development for the last few decades.
We need to find some gems and turn some later picks into elite players like PC.
If we can push up the ladder next year and at least be mid table with 8-10 wins then maybe fans can take a bit of a depth breath and just let the younger core group develop and grow together.
I still think we're a while off finals as we turn the list over, as it's lacking talent and experience like that Lions team.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Yeah that 5 year gap is whats really hurt us.

It hurts more when you look at Richmond who in one year brought in Lalor, Smillie, Hotton, Faull, Trainor and Armstrong.

And have picks 2 and 3 this year before scallywaggery.

Tigers will have a similar gap on their list like ours from 2016-2021.
But to be fair they weren't picking at the high end of the draft that much, mostly found solid role players.

 

[Chadwiko]

I'm not doing player grades for every player on our list, but if I was, mine would look something like this for Tom Powell;

========================
Tom Powell Season 2025 Review
========================
GRADE: C-

Tom had a handful of very nice games, but on the whole his season was underwhelming. He struggled to find a position in the team where he could consistently cement himself, and it wasn't a coincidence that our midfield looked it's best when he wasn't getting midfield minutes. Powell had stints on the wing and HBF, but unfortunately, this coincided with Powell's worst individual performances of the season.
Powell's tackling and general defensive efforts were highlighted numerous times throughout the season as insufficient, and he was outshone by younger and less experienced players in this regard too many times. Doesn't have the pace and attacking prowess of a Colby McKercher to compensate for the lack of defensive effort.
If Powell's going to be a best 22 player in 2026, then he needs to work on his endurance, defensive effort, and tackling.
==========================

Anyone want to argue that my review there is unfair?

 

[chubbspeterson]

Yeah that 5 year gap is whats really hurt us.

It hurts more when you look at Richmond who in one year brought in Lalor, Smillie, Hotton, Faull, Trainor and Armstrong.

And have picks 2 and 3 this year before scallywaggery.

Awesome haul from them last draft, but they will have some pain coming from the gap in their list like ours from 2016-2021 in a few years time. But to be fair they weren't picking at the high end of the draft, but found a few solid role players

 

[roopdog]

I'm not doing player grades for every player on our list, but if I was, mine would look something like this for Tom Powell;

========================
Tom Powell Season 2025 Review
========================
GRADE: C-

Tom had a handful of very nice games, but on the whole his season was underwhelming. He struggled to find a position in the team where he could consistently cement himself, and it wasn't a coincidence that our midfield looked it's best when he wasn't getting midfield minutes. Powell had stints on the wing and HBF, but unfortunately, this coincided with Powell's worst individual performances of the season.
Powell's tackling and general defensive efforts were highlighted numerous times throughout the season as insufficient, and he was outshone by younger and less experienced players in this regard too many times. Doesn't have the pace and attacking prowess of a Colby McKercher to compensate for the lack of defensive effort.
If Powell's going to be a best 22 player in 2026, then he needs to work on his endurance, defensive effort, and tackling.
==========================

Anyone want to argue that my review there is unfair?

Why do you always want to start arguments?

 

[Chadwiko]

Why do you always want to start arguments?

Wanna argue about it?

Also whose alt are you?

 

[roopdog]

Wanna argue about it?

Also whose alt are you?

I used to be travelli. I cancelled my account after the Geelong game....it was too much. But I missed you guys!

 

[ferball]

Their drafting has been infinitely better than ours. We need to close the gap, especially with picks outside the top 20. Before someone quotes this with Trembath (good start, more of these types please) or Larkey (2017) I mean recently.

These are recent (2021 ->) draft picks outside the top 20 in the ND.

2021 - Goater (22), Curtis (35), Bergman (38), Archer (59).
2022 - George (26), Harvey (56).
2023 - W Dawson (22), Hardeman (23).
2024 - Whitlock (27), Urquart (57), Stevens (67).

Too early to really judge 2024 but Goater, Archer, Harvey, W Dawson and Hardeman have all shown something at AFL level. Curtis has too. If players shake off their injury concerns (bif if I know) then that will be a good haul.

RD across those years:

Drury, Free, Howe, Maley.

Not great but Free and Howe were both picked for specific reasons and probably did their jobs (Free not really necessary as a backup, Howe ... hmmm). Maley is a good rookie option. I"d give him another year to see if he can kick a bunch of goals.

MSD:

Edwards, Ham, K Dawson, Hansen Jr, Payne, Teakle, Banch and Trembath.

The first three are poor but after 2022 things look alot better.

 

[Liam Boy]

If we could mash Konstanty and Harvey into one player, we'd have something decent.

I hear the club tried to bring Goku in as the specialist fusion dance coach, unfortunately Clarkson's salary is taking up all the cap space

 

[hilly]

These are recent (2021 ->) draft picks outside the top 20 in the ND.

2021 - Goater (22), Curtis (35), Bergman (38), Archer (59).
2022 - George (26), Harvey (56).
2023 - W Dawson (22), Hardeman (23).
2024 - Whitlock (27), Urquart (57), Stevens (67).

Too early to really judge 2024 but Goater, Archer, Harvey, W Dawson and Hardeman have all shown something at AFL level. Curtis has too. If players shake off their injury concerns (bif if I know) then that will be a good haul.

RD across those years:

Drury, Free, Howe, Maley.

Not great but Free and Howe were both picked for specific reasons and probably did their jobs (Free not really necessary as a backup, Howe ... hmmm). Maley is a good rookie option. I"d give him another year to see if he can kick a bunch of goals.

MSD:

Edwards, Ham, K Dawson, Hansen Jr, Payne, Teakle, Banch and Trembath.

The first three are poor but after 2022 things look alot better.

I think you're being generous with Archer and Harvey. I think Hardeman and Dawson will make it. Goater is too banged up and it would surprise me (George the same). RD haul is terrible and saying Free 'did his job' is a huge stretch.

MSD is saved by Trembath. How many good (as in above average) AFL games are we going to get out of Hansen Jn, Payne and Banch?

 

[hilly]

I'm not doing player grades for every player on our list, but if I was, mine would look something like this for Tom Powell;

========================
Tom Powell Season 2025 Review
========================
GRADE: C-

Tom had a handful of very nice games, but on the whole his season was underwhelming. He struggled to find a position in the team where he could consistently cement himself, and it wasn't a coincidence that our midfield looked it's best when he wasn't getting midfield minutes. Powell had stints on the wing and HBF, but unfortunately, this coincided with Powell's worst individual performances of the season.
Powell's tackling and general defensive efforts were highlighted numerous times throughout the season as insufficient, and he was outshone by younger and less experienced players in this regard too many times. Doesn't have the pace and attacking prowess of a Colby McKercher to compensate for the lack of defensive effort.
If Powell's going to be a best 22 player in 2026, then he needs to work on his endurance, defensive effort, and tackling.
==========================

Anyone want to argue that my review there is unfair?

That read like one of my performance reviews at work.

 

[Chadwiko]

That read like one of my performance reviews at work.

Yeah I do have to do these often. I might be your boss.

 

[ferball]

I think you're being generous with Archer and Harvey. I think Hardeman and Dawson will make it. Goater is too banged up and it would surprise me (George the same). RD haul is terrible and saying Free 'did his job' is a huge stretch.

Maybe with Harvey. He has the talent tho. Free was a break glass in emergency ruck. The rest... time will tell i guess.

MSD is saved by Trembath. How many good (as in above average) AFL games are we going to get out of Hansen Jn, Payne and Banch?

Again time will tell. Reality is if one of them becomes a good long term contributer then that's a good result from the MSD.

 

[Makeshift Park]

I'm not doing player grades for every player on our list, but if I was, mine would look something like this for Tom Powell;

========================
Tom Powell Season 2025 Review
========================
GRADE: C-

Tom had a handful of very nice games, but on the whole his season was underwhelming. He struggled to find a position in the team where he could consistently cement himself, and it wasn't a coincidence that our midfield looked it's best when he wasn't getting midfield minutes. Powell had stints on the wing and HBF, but unfortunately, this coincided with Powell's worst individual performances of the season.
Powell's tackling and general defensive efforts were highlighted numerous times throughout the season as insufficient, and he was outshone by younger and less experienced players in this regard too many times. Doesn't have the pace and attacking prowess of a Colby McKercher to compensate for the lack of defensive effort.
If Powell's going to be a best 22 player in 2026, then he needs to work on his endurance, defensive effort, and tackling.
==========================

Anyone want to argue that my review there is unfair?

Would you also say that Blicavs “struggles to find a position in the team where he can consistently cement himself”? How about Weddle?

Maybe building versatility is a virtue in itself, and it’s tactically useful to have a trusted cohort of players whose magnets you can throw around from week to week?

Not saying Powell had an amazing year, and clearly he’s not that defensively minded. But his work on the outside wasn’t as bad as you’re making out, and there’s not much point evaluating him as if he should be an inside midfielder exclusively.

At the very least it was a c+ season for me.

 

[ferball]

Would you also say that Blicavs “struggles to find a position in the team where he can consistently cement himself”? How about Weddle?

Maybe building versatility is a virtue in itself, and it’s tactically useful to have a trusted cohort of players whose magnets you can throw around from week to week?

Not saying Powell had an amazing year, and clearly he’s not that defensively minded. But his work on the outside wasn’t as bad as you’re making out, and there’s not much point evaluating him as if he should be an inside midfielder exclusively.

At the very least it was a c+ season for me.

For someone who can't tackle his effort on ROB on the weekend was pretty good.

 

[R00StaR]

These are recent (2021 ->) draft picks outside the top 20 in the ND.

2021 - Goater (22), Curtis (35), Bergman (38), Archer (59).
2022 - George (26), Harvey (56).
2023 - W Dawson (22), Hardeman (23).
2024 - Whitlock (27), Urquart (57), Stevens (67).

Too early to really judge 2024 but Goater, Archer, Harvey, W Dawson and Hardeman have all shown something at AFL level. Curtis has too. If players shake off their injury concerns (bif if I know) then that will be a good haul.

RD across those years:

Drury, Free, Howe, Maley.

Not great but Free and Howe were both picked for specific reasons and probably did their jobs (Free not really necessary as a backup, Howe ... hmmm). Maley is a good rookie option. I"d give him another year to see if he can kick a bunch of goals.

MSD:

Edwards, Ham, K Dawson, Hansen Jr, Payne, Teakle, Banch and Trembath.

The first three are poor but after 2022 things look alot better.

Howe reason was to kick us while we were down right?

 

[ferball]

Howe reason was to kick while we were down right?

I dunno. Clarkson helping a mate maybe.

The story was it was for his off field stuff iirc.