Sam Powell-Pepper’s star turn against Richmond signalled the midfielder’s AFL redemption

HOW one bone-jarring tackle signalled Sam Powell-Pepper’s AFL redemption.

Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper takes on Richmond’s Trent Cotchin and Toby Nankervis. Picture Sarah Reed

IN ONE bone jarring, defining tackle Richmond’s Jayden Short felt the pent-up pain and turmoil that saw Port Adelaide star Sam Powell-Pepper consider walking from football.

A decisive final-quarter run, tackle and turnover on Short signalled Powell-Pepper’s point of club redemption and inner peace in Friday night’s tribal toppling of the premier.

Powell-Pepper, 20, is contrite for his part in a boozy nightclub incident last April made remarkable by his AFL celebrity. The indigenous midfielder finally felt at ease in Port’s 14-point, prime time win against the Tigers winning eight contested possessions, six clearances, five inside 50s and six tackles.

“It was pretty tough, at a point there I just wanted to head home and give it a break,” said Powell-Pepper of the uncertainty through a protracted AFL investigation that culminated in a three-week AFL ban for inappropriate behaviour.

“I had a good network around me, the club supported me really well, got my spot back in the team.

“I had a bit of time out to reflect. I am back to playing some consistent footy and hopefully I can keep bringing that contest and being a reliable player the team needs.”

Powell-Pepper was the subject of intense media scrutiny and abuse at suburban SANFL grounds at the height of the AFL investigation. This boy from a broken home has bucketloads of resilience. Repaying the faith of Port’s hierarchy was Powell-Pepper’s consuming mission.

“It was obviously a tough moment in my life but have been through a lot tougher things,” said Powell-Pepper, whose Torres Strait Islander mother was incarcerated on the day Port chose him at pick No.18 in the 2016 AFL draft.

“It (abuse) is water off a duck’s back and soldier through to where we are now. I am happier than ever, just want to keep winning.”

Power chairman David Koch lamented apparent “rail-roading” of Powell-Pepper into an AFL ban following a night out with loose dance floor moves at Mr Kim’s. Koch feared the AFL was motivated to curry favour with women alienated by indiscretions of its top brass last year.

Powell-Pepper moved on with the help of skipper Travis Boak and Tom Rockliff.

“Boaky, is like a brother, has been there from the start. I have a really strong bond with him, an amazing guy,” Powell-Pepper told The Sunday Mail.

“Rocky was great as well.”

Port needed a special act to repel Richmond’s final quarter surge and it was Powell-Pepper who stepped in lifting teammates and the roof at Adelaide Oval.

“I always look for that big bump or big tackle. The opportunity was there and I just thought I would take it,” he said.

Powell-Pepper had set himself for the ‘Short’ tackle in drills with midfield coach Michael Voss.

“We wanted to bring pressure. I worked all week with Vossy and it came off,” he said.

Port, boasting a 7-4 win-loss record, is sniffing a top-four finish but its work-rate against Richmond must be replicated against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday.

“Richmond was going to be a tough even without Dustin Martin. We went with a will to win,” said Powell-Pepper, thrilled how Chad Wingard “stood up as a leader” with a best afield display.

“We had our heads screwed on right, the win gives us belief and hopefully consistency.”