Outer East league: New coach and package of recruits for Powelltown

Powelltown is pumped up after signing a group of decorated recruits, including VAFA and Southern league premiership players and best and fairest winners.

Josh Cowan takes a kick for St Bede’s Mentone Tigers. Photo: Andrew Batsch

From wooden spoon to finals contenders…

It’s a jump Powelltown can make in Division 1 of Outer East league in 2025, according to the club’s new playing-coach Ryan Handley.

The 34-year-old is the ideal man to lead the Powelly rebuild; he’s got a track record in these areas.

Handley took Southern league club Black Rock from second bottom to a premiership (2022) in the space of two years.

Ryan Handley coaching Black Rock. Picture: valeriu. Campan

Since Handley’s appointment in August, Powelltown has signed a string of key recruits, including St Bede’s vice-captain and VAFA Big V star Josh Cowan, Black Rock premiership star and best and fairest winner Cooper Ferries, premiership player Jaryd Wines (Black Rock) and VAFA best and fairest winner Alex Cross.

And more recruits are to come.

“We’re announcing three or four big, prominent recruits within the next couple of weeks,” Handley said.

“The personnel injected in are not just good footballers but they’re great people.

“You’ll immediately get that buy in. They are there for the right reasons. The on field stuff will turn around fairly quick.”

Cooper Ferries with the ball for Black Rock.

Josh Cowan of St Bede’s. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Powelltown won back-to-back premierships in 2022-23 before losing a stack of key players and struggling to a 2-13 record in 2024.

Handley says Powelltown fans will see a committed, determined side in ‘25.

“They can expect a bit more of a semi professional year, a team that’s full of good habits, really well mannered, good young men and women,” he said.

In other Powelltown appointments, Yarra Glen senior coach Dean Williams has come on board as assistant coach.

“He will be the perfect right hand man for senior playing coach Ryan, and brings an extensive amount of knowledge and experience with him,’’ Powelltown said.

Champion ruckman and four-time league best and fairest winner Ben Wratten, who coached Powelltown in 2024, will continue as a key player.

Ryan Handley is Powelly's new coach. Picture: Facebook

Handley, who played most of his football in the Eastern league with Bayswater and Mitcham, said he jumped at the chance to lead Powelltown.

“One of my best mates (Shannon Halliday) played in flags at Powelly,’’ he said.

“From there it grew momentum...a few boxes were ticked off and then the overriding feeling for me became excitement.

“I sat down and spoke to my family about it and came to the conclusion it’s one hundred percent a challenge I wanted to entertain.’’