Rocky Brothers’ Mitchell Power wins Ollie Howden Medal for second time

Rockhampton Brothers halfback Mitchell Power has shared what it means to join rare company, winning the Ollie Howden Medal a second time. FULL LIST OF WINNERS.

Rockhampton Brothers' halfback Mitchell Power has won the 2023 Ollie Howden Medal.

Mitchell Power has joined an exclusive club, becoming just the sixth player to twice win the prestigious Ollie Howden Medal in its 70-year history.

The Rockhampton Brothers halfback was named Rockhampton Rugby League A-grade men’s best and fairest after a stellar 2023 season.

He also claimed the honour in 2016, his first year with Brothers.

Power sits alongside Railways’ “Sugar” Ray Robinson (1955, 1960), Steve Crear (Norths 1971/Brothers 1981), Fitzroys’ Graham Horstman (1973, 1999), Brothers’ Hugh Stanley (1999, 2002) and CQU Norths’ James Waterton (2004, 2005) as dual medal winners.

Among the other winners of the night were Emu Park’s Sarah Field (Women’s Player of the Year), Biloela Panthers’ Bruce Aitcheson (Reserve Grade Player of the Year) and Norths Chargers’ Iziah Broome (Under-19 Player of the Year).

See the full list of winners below.

Emu Park’s Sarah Field was the 2023 Women’s Player of the Year.

Power, 32, was “still in shock” the day after receiving the award.

“It’s a pretty good feeling to win it again,” he said.

“I feel pretty privileged and honoured to be up there with those five other fellas.

“It didn’t really cross my mind; I was just playing for the team and playing to win a comp, not to win this award.

“It’s not just an individual thing, I don’t think. If your teammates aren’t performing, you’re not performing so I’ve got to thank those boys a lot too for the success that I had.”

Power played a major hand in Brothers claiming the minor premiership after they registered 10 wins from 12 fixtures in the regular season.

Unfortunately, they failed to make it to the big dance, beaten 34-32 by Emu Park in the preliminary final.

Power said it was a disappointing end to what had been such a promising season but things just didn’t fall into place for the team in the finals series.

The talented playmaker started playing rugby league with the Blackwater Crushers at age five, following in the footsteps of his father.

Steve Crear (left) pictured in action at Browne Park in August 1970 also won the Ollie Howden Medal twice.

He played all his junior footy with the club before making his A-grade debut at 17 with the Bluff Rabbitohs.

A gifted five-eighth, he first played fullback when he joined the Brethren in 2016 and it was this season he moved back to the halves.

Damien Seibold coached Power in the two years he won the Ollie Howden, and could not speak highly enough about his on-field contribution.

“I’m very proud of him,” he said.

“He was one of our best all year, whether steering the team around or producing a big play when we needed it.

“His goalkicking throughout the year was also excellent, he rarely missed a kick.”

Power also received Seibold’s coach’s award at the club’s annual presentation night.

Full list of Rockhampton Rugby League 2023 award winners

Ollie Howden Medal: Mitchell Power (Rockhampton Brothers)

Women’s Player of the Year: Sarah Field (Emu Park)

Male Rookie of the Year – Graham Horstman Memorial Shield: Luke Callanan (Rockhampton Brothers)

Reserve Grade Player of the Year: Bruce Aitcheson (Biloela Panthers)

Yeppoon’s Meg McKellar is the Female Rookie of the Year.

Female Rookie of the Year: Meg McKellar (Yeppoon Seagulls)

Under-19 Player of the Year: Iziah Broome (Norths Chargers)

Male International Player of the Year – Daniel Dunlop Shield: Baylee Meilland (Rockhampton Tigers)

Female International Player of the Year: Caydence Fouracre (Rockhampton Tigers)

Rockhampton JRL life membership: Doris Wheeler

Club Volunteer of the Year: Biloela Panthers – Jenny Boon, Rockhampton Rockhampton – Troy Wheeler, Emu Park – Joanne McKitterick, Fitzroy/Gracemere – Sharon Williams, Norths Chargers – Allan Fouche, Yeppoon Seagulls – Karen Quinn, Tannum Sands Seagulls Women – Darryl Roeser, Wallabys Women – James Benjamin, Rockhampton JRL – Josh Merlow, Rockhampton Referees – Brett Kelly, Rockhampton Seniors – Sarah Cooling.