Sam Powell-Pepper pays tribute to former teammate’s family after Round 1 Rising Star nomination
PORT Adelaide youngster Sam Powell-Pepper knows he wouldn’t be where he is today if it weren’t for the generosity of a friend’s family and he says he wears his “Bash Brothers” tag as a badge of honour.
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PORT Adelaide’s latest cult figure Sam Powell-Pepper has paid tribute to a former teammate’s family for “shaping’’ his football journey.
The Round 1 AFL Rising Star nominee, who along with fellow Power hard nut Ollie Wines has formed a dynamic tandem dubbed “The Bash Brothers’’, says that without the support of Greg and Karen De Lore he might not be in the AFL system.
“They helped shape me into the person I am today,’’ midfield bull Powell-Pepper told The Advertiser.
“Since I was about 14 the De Lore family took me under their wing and helped get me into (Perth’s) Wesley College (on an indigenous scholarship), they paid for some of my footy trips and helped me a lot when I needed it.
“I will be forever thankful for what they’ve done for me to help me get to this point.’’
Powell-Pepper, 19, was a star in Port’s shock opening round victory against grand finalist Sydney at the SCG, overcame a tough upbringing to shine on the national stage with 19 disposals, two goals, seven clearances and six score involvements.
The East Perth product — selected at pick 18 at last year’s national draft — has an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mother and an English father.
He lived with his dad in Perth in his early years before moving in with his grandmother at age nine.
Powell-Pepper then met James De Lore at Mt Hawthorn Cardinals junior football club and was soon being treated like one of the family.
He lived with the De Lore’s, who were in the Power changerooms at the SCG on Saturday to watch club great Gavin Wanganeen present him with his No.2 jumper, for a year before being drafted.
“They have just helped me so much with footy and life,’’ said Powell-Pepper said.
“I still would have pushed hard for the AFL because it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do but the road would have been much tougher and life a bit more challenging without their support.’’
Powell-Pepper said having to be resilient as a boy had also shaped the ultra-competitive nature which already has made him a fan’s favourite at Port.
Physically-imposing for a midfielder at 187cm and 91kg, Powell-Pepper admits he likes to “hurt people’’ and “give 100 per cent to every contest’’.
“I don’t like to leave anything out there, it’s all about the contest for me,’’ he said.
“I pride myself on the tough, competitive side of the game and that’s what Kenny (coach Ken Hinkley) wants from me, to play my role and do what’s best for the team.
“Ever since I played junior footy I’ve always put my head over the ball and looked for the big bump or tackle, something inspirational, to help get the team up and about.’’
Powell-Pepper, who has been likened to Richmond star Dustin Martin because of his ability to fend off opponents with an outstretched arm, views being labelled alongside Wines as a “Bash Brother’’ as a badge of honour.
“It’s amazing because I idolised him and to now be playing with him and called a bash brother is a bit surreal,’’ he said.
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