Sport
9 September, 2021
Power ready to go if community sport resumes
KOLORA Noorat coach Ben Walsh and his playing group are remaining on their toes in the event the Power returns to play this season.
KOLORA Noorat coach Ben Walsh and his playing group are remaining on their toes in the event the Power returns to play this season.
The Power players are still training diligently in the hope of a finals start, with the Warrnambool and District league releasing its return to play plans last week.
The plans included a move to a top four or a top two depending on when restrictions ease, with both options working favourably for Kolora Noorat.
The side finished second on the ladder at the end of the home and away season, with both scenarios ensuring the Power would play if community sport resumes.
Walsh said the league’s announcement provided some certainty, albeit play is still up in the air after it was announced regional Victoria could return to training, for those clubs in the finals.
“It was nice to have some scenarios or dates turned out by the league but the hard part is the uncertainty and not knowing what could take place,” he said.
“Having some scenarios out there and a bit of an end point will help a few chip away too.
“Our guys are still pretty active within our Facebook and WhatsApp groups and are all hanging in there and there’s probably a fair few still itching to get to back to it.”
While the Power has been unable to train as a group or play since August 20, Walsh said his messaging had been simple during the shutdown.
He told his players to spend as much time outside and exercising as possible, and to remain prepared for good news at any moment.
“I think one of the last lockdowns we came out pretty quickly and pretty unexpected so everyone has needed to be on their toes,” Walsh said.
“What my messaging has been about is making sure we’re still assuming we are going to play.
“I know we have and all clubs have been training for 18 months for this so I think another two or three weeks isn’t going to kill us.
“It’s also about a wellbeing point of view too. I’ve been telling everyone to exercise and get outside because that’s one of the best things you can do in these instances.”
If the call comes that the Power would be required to front up for a semi-final or grand final, Walsh is confident his group would be ready to go.
“We’re quite young and I know some of the guys are still training pretty hard and are pushing each other with the times flicking through,” he said.
“All clubs will be proactive and I’m sure at short notice will be ready to get stuck into it.
“It would be good to have a couple of sessions before a game at this time of year, but I think if we had the chance to play we’d go for it and back ourselves.”
The Warrnambool and District had yet to make its call on what would occur with its season when Western District Newspapers went to print.