Newport Power has shocked the western suburbs football community, winning a WRFL premiership in its first season as a senior club.
The Power defied the odds in just reaching the finals, then proceeded to show why it was the best team in division 3 this season by stamping its authority on the finals.
A dream debut season culminated in a 33-point win over Parkside in the division 3 grand final at Wootten Road Reserve on Saturday.
Power assistant coach John Rayner said there would have been good odds available about the side at the start of the year.
“I’m happy for the playing group, that they’ve got something to take out of the season, because they’ve worked hard for it,” he said.
Newport’s aim at the start of the campaign was merely to be competitive. A win here and there, throw in an upset – would have been a satisfying way to start life in division 3.
But the bar was quickly raised for the Power as it built momentum in the early rounds.
By round 10, the Power was on top of the ladder; eight weeks later it was minor premier.
Its dominant second half of the season should be enough to convince the WRFL that 2017 should see the Power promoted to division 2.
“We’d like to go up,” Rayner said. “You want to be at the best standard you can.”
Newport is by no means an operation thought up overnight.
The Power worked hard to re-establish football in the Newport community for 10 years in the juniors before entertaining the thought of taking the leap into seniors. Three clubs had come and gone in Newport before the Power arrived, so this is perhaps the last chance for football to thrive at Bryan Martyn Oval.
Rayner praised the efforts of Power president Stephen Martyn and the club’s committee.
Assistant coach Billy Koutsoumbas and team manager Marwan Abouzied were key sounding boards for the playing group.
Mark Williams, the playing coach, offered plenty as both a player and with his leadership and instruction.
“He ticked all the boxes for us,” Rayner said. “His leadership, particularly over the past week, was really impressive.”
Two of Newport’s prized recruits, Bassman Abdul-Wahed and Munir El Houli, were the stand-outs in the grand final.
After a shaky start, Newport responded after quarter-time with five goals to nil in the second term, setting up the victory.
“The whips were cracking early, but we stood up,” Rayner said. “We gradually wore them down.
“Without being disrespectful to the opposition, we knew we had it done 10 minutes into the last quarter – so we could sit back and enjoy it a bit.”
For more pictures from Saturday’s game, CLICK HERE
