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Thomas lauds Powell
8 July 2006
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is full of admiration for the way veteran Saint Stephen Powell has forced his way back into the 22 for Sunday's clash against Collingwood at Telstra Dome.
Powell has made just three appearances for the Saints in 2006 - the opening two matches of the season and in round eight - yet when he was dropped for round nine and returned to Casey Scorpions in the VFL (round eight), he was reported twice and subsequently rubbed out for a total of four matches.
He took an automatic one-match penalty for striking, while he was also found guilty of striking on a separate report, which sidelined him for three matches. This resulted in Powell not playing at either AFL or VFL level since Saturday 27 May.
But Thomas said Powell's attitude and approach to training has been first-class since the midfielder was forced onto the sidelines.
"Powelly's a real pro. He's probably one of our most professional players and he's a great leader amongst the playing group and he has absolutely smashed himself to smithereens for six weeks now," Thomas said at Moorabbin on Saturday morning.
"He's been an inspiration to the whole team, the way he's gone about it and basically forced us to select him and there is no other way I can explain it. I didn't have Stephen Powell in our team a few weeks ago."
"I felt he would be coming back and proving to us through Casey that he is going to get a spot again, but he's lost four kilos and he's just run himself and worked himself harder than I've probably seen anyone work themselves in that period of time and he's left us in no doubt about where he is at and where he wants to be and he's just basically said: 'Pick me, I'm ready', so we've picked him."
Thomas conceded it was a big step for Powell to come straight back into the senior side, but he said rising to the challenge is something all of the Saints have to strive for.
"It is, but having said that, it is (a big step) for all of us as well. Stephen Powell's delivered for our club on many occasions over the last few years and he's rarely let us down," Thomas said.
"His body hasn't been in super nick, but it is now and it'd be a very brave person to doubt him."
8 July 2006
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is full of admiration for the way veteran Saint Stephen Powell has forced his way back into the 22 for Sunday's clash against Collingwood at Telstra Dome.
Powell has made just three appearances for the Saints in 2006 - the opening two matches of the season and in round eight - yet when he was dropped for round nine and returned to Casey Scorpions in the VFL (round eight), he was reported twice and subsequently rubbed out for a total of four matches.
He took an automatic one-match penalty for striking, while he was also found guilty of striking on a separate report, which sidelined him for three matches. This resulted in Powell not playing at either AFL or VFL level since Saturday 27 May.
But Thomas said Powell's attitude and approach to training has been first-class since the midfielder was forced onto the sidelines.
"Powelly's a real pro. He's probably one of our most professional players and he's a great leader amongst the playing group and he has absolutely smashed himself to smithereens for six weeks now," Thomas said at Moorabbin on Saturday morning.
"He's been an inspiration to the whole team, the way he's gone about it and basically forced us to select him and there is no other way I can explain it. I didn't have Stephen Powell in our team a few weeks ago."
"I felt he would be coming back and proving to us through Casey that he is going to get a spot again, but he's lost four kilos and he's just run himself and worked himself harder than I've probably seen anyone work themselves in that period of time and he's left us in no doubt about where he is at and where he wants to be and he's just basically said: 'Pick me, I'm ready', so we've picked him."
Thomas conceded it was a big step for Powell to come straight back into the senior side, but he said rising to the challenge is something all of the Saints have to strive for.
"It is, but having said that, it is (a big step) for all of us as well. Stephen Powell's delivered for our club on many occasions over the last few years and he's rarely let us down," Thomas said.
"His body hasn't been in super nick, but it is now and it'd be a very brave person to doubt him."
