North Melbourne midfielder Tom Powell on growing up in Adelaide, inspiring coaches, and heading to the Barossa for Gather Round

From Unley Oval to the MCG, this rising North Melbourne star is back home for Gather Round – praising the Adelaide coaches who helped him.

From the suburban streets of Adelaide to the MCG, North Melbourne superstar Tom Powell is living every South Australian kid’s dream.

A Scotch College old scholar and former Unley Jets junior, Powell has developed into one of the AFL’s brightest talents since being selected by the Roos with pick 13 in the 2020 draft.

The midfielder – touted a “future Brownlow Medallist” by St Kilda legend Leigh Montagna – is averaging career-high stats in disposals, marks, tackles and clearances since being unleashed in the engine room this year – and credits some of his previous coaches for his constant improvement.

“I was at Sturt and went through all their junior programs and they were elite,” Powell said.

Tom Powell at Unley Oval during his Under 18’s season with Sturt in 2020. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“I had some great coaches throughout that time. David Oatey is the main one that comes to mind for under-17s and 18s – he had a big impact on my football career.

“Then my school coach throughout my First XVIII years at Scotch was Nathan Eagleton, who’s a former Western Bulldogs player, and he was another great coach. They both helped me immensely throughout my journey.

“It probably wasn’t until much further into my under-18 year – when you sort of start hearing things in the media and you get managers reaching out to you and things like that – that I realised ‘hang on, maybe I am a good chance to get drafted here’.”

For Powell, Saturday’s inaugural AFL Barossa match against Gold Coast will be his first time heading to the renowned wine region.

Powell in action against the Swans in Round 4. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“Yeah it will be unreal,” he said. “I’ve never been down to the Barossa in my 17 years living in Adelaide, so I’m actually looking forward to it. It’s a cool part of the world from all reports, so I’m looking forward to getting down there for the first time.

“I always enjoy when I see on the calendar at the start of the year that we’ve got a game in Adelaide because I love playing in front of my friends and family.

“Anytime I get a game in Adelaide on the schedule I’m stoked – and the club is really generous and supportive and they let me stay an extra night or two to catch up with everyone.”

Just two weeks ago, Adelaide triumphed over North Melbourne with a 36-point win that left them sitting 3-0 for the first time since 2017.

Crows key forward Riley Thilthorpe starred in the win with three goals – a player well-known to Powell, having been selected with pick 2 in the same draft.

South Australia’s first-round picks in the 2020 draft. L-R Brayden Cook, Riley Thilthorpe, Tom Powell, Lachlan Jones and Luke Pedlar. Picture Mark Brake

“I’m glad to see Riley doing so well now – we played a fair bit against each other as kids and also on the same team a bit as well, and he’s a ripping fella,” Powell said.

“I’ve heard how hard he works through some mutual people, and I’m so glad that he’s been able to take that next step with his game. He’s an absolute gun – he’s also massive. He’s obviously done a fair bit of work in the gym and the rewards are paying off.”

Originally published as North Melbourne midfielder Tom Powell on growing up in Adelaide, inspiring coaches, and heading to the Barossa for Gather Round