Sam Powell-Pepper partied and missed training session before being granted leave by Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper partied the night before missing a training session days, just before he was granted leave from the club.
Port Adelaide
Don't miss out on the headlines from Port Adelaide. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Port Adelaide star Sam Powell-Pepper missed a Sunday morning training session after attending a WOMADelaide event and hosting people at his house on Saturday night.
The Advertiser understands a Power staff member attended the midfielder’s house on Sunday morning after his training no-show but he had already left in an Uber.
Power head of football Chris Davies confirmed that Powell-Pepper had been a no-show at the training session.
“In this type of things generally there is an acute event that makes a person re-evaluate exactly where they are at and what they want to do in the future and for Sam that was on Sunday morning,” Davies said on FIVEaa.
“We discussed with Sam post that time, he has had a good think about things and had discussions with those people close to him and he has made the decision to take some time away from the club.”
The club announced on Thursday the 23-year-old star had been “granted personal leave from the club to focus on his wellbeing”.
Powell-Pepper posted Instagram images from the WOMADelaide festival in the city on Saturday evening showing former Power player Marlon Motlop’s musical act MRLN x RKM.
He then returned to his house later that night with friends.
It’s time to register for Australia’s best fantasy footy game – KFC SuperCoach. Register now at supercoach.com.au
Powell-Pepper, who is recovering from surgery on a broken hand following a training collision, also missed Port Adelaide’s Sunday Community Series practice match against Adelaide at Noarlunga.
Davies said the broken hand happened during training.
“I saw it with my own eyes that he hurt his hand during training in an incident when he actually ran into someone at the time,” Davies said.
In Port Adelaide’s statement, Powell-Pepper said: “Along with the rehabilitation of my broken hand, there are other parts of my life that need some work right now.”
Port leadership group member Darcy Byrne-Jones said on Friday he found out about Powell-Pepper’s situation during a three-day break following Sunday’s practice match.
“We had a few days off during the week. So it was tough to come together and speak to it but the club was able to work through with him and I found out a couple of days ago,” he said.
Byrne-Jones said the club would “give Pepp the time he needs to get himself right”.
“He trains really hard and when he is at the club he gives everything,” Byrne-Jones said.
“So we can’t really question his commitment in that area.”
Byrne-Jones said Powell-Pepper’s broken hand was impacting him, and the 23-year-old would “work with some people that are going to help him”.
“All you can do is put your arm around him and reach out to him and hope that he has the structure around him that makes him better,” he said.
Port Adelaide were contacted for comment on Friday but declined.
The Power’s general manager of football Chris Davies said Powell-Pepper was expected to return to the club in April.
Port coach Ken Hinkley said it was about making sure Powell-Pepper was OK.
“We’re just going to give Sam the time and space he needs to focus on his health and wellbeing,” Hinkley told SEN.
Hinkley also said the game had made huge strides in dealing with personal and mental health issues.
“It’s incredible the way we deal with them now but also importantly that we’re more aware of them,” he said.
“We all live and hear the stories and recent stories about the challenges for people in life and we should never be judging, we should be there to help and support as much as we possibly can.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Sam Powell-Pepper partied and missed training session before being granted leave by Port Adelaide
Join the conversation
Why not Port, Ken? Swans show exactly why with finals lesson
Ken Hinkley asked his side pre-game, why not us? The answer was shown on the field at the SCG, which is as simple as they’re not good enough to take that last step, writes Matt Turner.
Read more
Emphatic Swans crush Power to leave no doubts, book GF spot
They’ve been the best team all season. Now, the Swans are set to play for the AFL premiership after dismantling the Power at home to book their ticket to the big dance.
Read more