Sport
15 February, 2023
Siblings to lead Power
SIBLINGS Nick and Laura Bourke will lead Kolora Noorat into season 2023.
SIBLINGS Nick and Laura Bourke will lead Kolora Noorat into season 2023.
The duo has taken on leadership roles with the Power this year, with Nick to once again coach the senior footy side while sister Laura will coach A grade netball.
“We’re both really excited for the season ahead,” Nick said.
“There’s a real buzz; a real excitement around the club at the moment and we’re all keen to get out there for round one.”
The Power’s senior footballers are keen to go one further than last season’s preliminary final defeat with the hope of bringing home another flag.
Finishing third on the Warrnambool and District ladder behind Panmure and Nirranda, the Power had a tough run in the 2022 finals series.
They suffered a 23-point loss to the Bulldogs in the qualifying final before defeating Merrivale by 24 points in the semi-final and then going down by a crushing two points in the preliminary – again at the hands of the Bulldogs.
“I was super proud of the boys’ efforts last season, we got to the prelim but just fell short with a shot after the siren,” Nick said.
“Once again our end goal will be to make that last game of the year so we’ve put a few things in place recently to set ourselves up for the season.
“Recruiting is always challenging down this area, with more people seemingly moving away than moving in, but we’re always fortunate to have local support.”
This season will see the return of several former players, including Ben Moloney following a stint with GFL side St Mary’s, and Henry Kenna and Charlie Scanlon who both played their junior footy with the Power before moving from the area for university and work.
“It’s great to see them all returning this season and we have also welcomed two new faces in Jarrod Evans (who has crossed from Camperdown) and Sam Uwland (Woorndoo Mortlake) who has
been great for the younger blokes,” Nick said.
Round one, fixtured for Saturday April 1, will see the Power travel to Merrivale to take on the Tigers
“We’ve had a great preseason so far; numbers have been great on the track and they’re looking really fit,” Nick said.
“Merrivale will be a great test for us straight up, and will give us an idea of where we’re at; we’re really looking forward to it.”
Like her brother, Laura has also been inspired by the return of several past players and will be surrounded with familiar faces at the Power.
“I played my junior netball with Kolora Noorat so it’s nice to be back here once again,” she said.
“I played A grade at Camperdown last season in the Hampden League and really enjoyed it but I’m thrilled to be back here (at Power) once again.
“And this year will also see the return of several others who played their junior netty here including my sister, Anna Bourke, cousin Lily Bourke and Meg O’Sullivan.”
The returning players will no doubt bring a breadth of experience and quality to what will be a new-look Power A grade side.
“Anna is quite a tall, strong goalie so she’ll be great in the circle, Meg is a handy mid-courter and Lily will also add strength under the post,” Laura said.
“From what I’m hearing, we will probably retain about 90 per cent of our senior players from last season which is great, and once we get a few more training sessions under our belt I’ll have a better idea of what our sides will look like.
“I’m really looking forward to the season and the challenges ahead.”
Having finished season 2022 winless and on the bottom of the ladder, the Power’s top netball side will no doubt be keen to record its first win early in the new season.