Power House move to 6-0 after perfect start to the season

Power House coach Nick Cox has been forced to make several changes every week but it hasn’t stopped his side from making a perfect start to the year. He talks the revolving door at selection, the gun forwards and key players.

Power House are 6-0 and sitting top of the ladder.

You might even say Power House coach Nick Cox is a little surprised by his side’s hot start to the season.

The first year mentor has lead his side to a 6-0 VAFA Division 3 start despite what has been a rollercoaster ride.

Thursday selection meetings have been the toughest part of Cox’s tenure so far with Power House making “five or six changes” on average each week.

That included eight for the four-point win over a plucky Albert Park on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s a credit to the depth we have at the footy club. We’ve had quite an unsettled side,” Cox said.

“We’ve got a group where guys are able to come in and perform a role in the senior side. We’ve been interrupted by injuries and holidays so far this year but we’re starting to get guys back in the next few weeks.

“We’ve done pretty well considering the changes we’ve had to our side. You look at last week and Kieran Wotherspoon was the only original forward from the week before.

“We only got our co-captain Ben Circosta back and he’s made an immediate difference. Luke Stubbs, our other co-captain, has been one of the club’s better players over the last few years, and he’s still to come back in.”

Power House’s forward line has been one of the standout areas of its game this season – demonstrating a big scoring ability.

It was on show when it played three of the lower sides in the division but has missed key players in recent weeks.

Division 3 leading goalkicker Jack Taylor-Evans (28 goals) and Michael Timmons (17 goals) are expected to return in the next fortnight. While Harry Officer is another key name to keep an eye on.

“Those guys have a really strong understanding of where to lead, knowing each other’s games,” Cox said.

“They’ll be some pretty handy additions when we get them back in.”

Given the changes they have been forced to make in recent weeks, Power House’s senior side included eight Irishmen on the weekend.

Cox said a lot of the group lived in the local area and had been brought to the club by reserves coach Traolach O’Sullivan.

“He’s played a massive role in getting them down. Some of the guys have been at the club for a few years and when their mates come over they get in touch with him,” he said.

“They have a fantastic natural ability.

“Their running ability is outstanding, some of the boys have played a pretty high level of Gaelic before. They understand the patterns of the game.

“Sam Shire an absolute star, it’s great watching him go about it.”

Power House has made a perfect start to the season.

Mitch Newman and Jack Kervin are among other Power House players to enjoy fine starts of the season.

Cox’s side is now preparing for one of the most anticipated games of the season against Wattle Park, who are also undefeated, this weekend.

“It’s another fantastic challenge,” he said.

“We’re hopeful of getting a few back which means we could have our strongest side of the year so far.”

ORMOND ARE THE TEAM TO BEAT

A third of the way through, it’s time to label Ormond as the Division 1 premiership favourites. The Monders secured a 24-point win over Preston Bullants on the weekend to start a month which will really test their premiership credentials. In the upcoming games, they will face Oakleigh, Kew and Brunswick — side’s who have finals ambitions of their own. Young gun Mason Thatcher is playing some awesome footy with three mentions in the best and it’s remarkable when he’s played some double header weekends in the under-17s. Ben Williams produced his best game of the weekend.

BRUNSWICK KEEP TOUCH

Sitting in sixth place, Brunswick will be eyeing off a potential top-four place. After Preston Bullants and Oakleigh both went down, the NOBs are now only one game outside of the finals positions. In just his third game of the season, Rowan Hogenbirk produced his best performance yet with an impressive display. Recruits including Fletcher Banfield and Whitlam Bishop continue to impress.

ST JOHN’S TAKE A BIG STEP FORWARD

The season is only one-third old but St John’s will be feeling good at securing their place in Division 2. The JOCs recorded a come from behind 17-point win against Hawthorn on Saturday to grab their third win of the season and move two games clear of relegation. They managed to overcome a 21-point halftime deficit. James Day and Aydan Unger were among the better players.

COBRAS WIN CONTENDER BATTLE

Old Yarra Cobras secured an 11-point win over West Brunswick in a game between two sides who will be confident they can contend at the pointy end of the season. Anthony Raso showed why he’s one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition with five goals. Anthony Lamanna continued his strong form.

A GAP IN DIVISION 3

The season is only six weeks old but there appears to be a gap between the top-four and the rest in Division 3. While the scoreboards might have suggested otherwise on Saturday, the wet and wild weather may have played a part, the four occupying the finals spots right now are hot favourites to remain there especially if they are playing their best footy.