Stephen Powell

{{Infobox AFL biography | name = Stephen Powell | image = | birth_date = 7 September 1976 | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | originalteam = St Kevins / Central U18 | debutdate = Round 6, 2 May 1997 | debutteam = Western Bulldogs | debutopponent = West Coast Eagles | debutstadium = WACA | heightweight = | position = | statsend = 2006 | years1 = 1997–1999 | club1 = Western Bulldogs | games_goals1 = 30 (21) | years2 = 2000–2002 | club2 = Melbourne | games_goals2 = 44 (43) | years3 = 2003–2006 | club3 = St Kilda | games_goals3 = 68 (30) | games_goalstotal = 142 (94) | careerhighlights = * St Kilda [[Australian Football League

}} Stephen Powell (born 7 September 1976) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League (AFL).

A journeyperson in the AFL, Powell made his debut with the Western Bulldogs as a 20-year-old in 1997 . He quickly became known as a player whose hardness and aggression at the ball was invaluable, continuing this role as the Bulldogs reached preliminary finals in 1997 and 1998. Surprisingly , at the end of 1999 he was traded went to the Melbourne Football Club much to the dismay of Bulldogs fans , where he immediately became a major contributor in helping them reach a Grand Final in 2000 , and despite a bad loss , he was a shining light on the day and the Dees best and polled strongly in their Best and Fairest . Sadly , he miss all of 2001 , sidelined with a near career ended groin injury . 2002 saw him return to play , and he returned to fine form . At the end of the season , protracted contract negotiations saw him nominate to leave the club , and he was again traded , this time to the St Kilda Football Club.

His experience at the Saints was invaluable to their young and developing list , and he was an often underrated player in a midfield that included stars such as Lenny Hayes, Robert Harvey and Nick Dal Santo Such was his contribution that season , he finished third in the Trevor Barker Award .

Powell to play in St Kilda's 2004 Wizard Home Loans Cup winning side.[1]

In 2005, however, Powell's career hit a hurdle. Returning from injury in Round 9 he never quite reached the level of consistency of 2003, and lack of pace then became an issue, although he was a regular first team member. At the end of the year there were doubts about the future of the just-turned-29 Powell, but he later signed a one-year contract, meaning a sharp downward turn in speed and form limited Powell's chances.

2006 was Powell's last season of football, playing only 10 matches and announcing his retirement, in September, a week after St Kilda's exit from the 2006 AFL Finals Series.

References

  1. ↑ "AFL 2004 Wizard Cup Grand Final – Geelong v St Kilda". Slattery Media Group. 2004-03-13. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
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