Ahead of this weekend’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash in Darwin, Yartapuulti forward Sam Powell-Pepper spoke about the significance of the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup, and his pride in representing his culture during one of the AFL season’s most meaningful rounds.
Speaking from proud club partner Blooms the Chemist in the Top End, Powell-Pepper reflected on the impact of the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup as it expands to the Northern Territory for the first time in its 19-year history, while also providing an update on his recovery from injury, and Yartapuulti’s preparations for Friday night’s clash against the Gold Coast Suns.
Powell-Pepper on the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup
“The Power Cup is such a special thing that Yartapuulti do, and I definitely would have loved to have something like this program when I was growing up. The kids really love it, and they buy into it, and you can see how much joy they get out of it, especially playing footy, but also the school and the fun side of it – it’s so good to see.”
“The Power Cup has been around for 19 years now, and this is the first one up in Darwin, in the NT. I think it's pretty cool, and for us to come up (the players) and be a part of it as well, it's pretty cool to see the kids and just the smiles on their faces. We'll be down there tomorrow too. When they know that the boys are there, they show a bit more fight and try to show off and show their skills - it's very good to be up here, there's a good vibe going around town.”
Powell-Pepper on the importance of the club’s partnership with Blooms the Chemist
“Blooms have been a proud partner of Port Adelaide, and they've really helped support the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup. We're very grateful for the support”
Powell-Pepper on completing his rehab in the Top End
“I think before I left, it was pretty cold and windy in Adelaide. So, to get up here, get a bit of a change of scenery and do my rehab, and just be a part of the team is great. Indigenous Round is pretty special to me, and just to be a part of it is pretty special.”
Powell-Pepper on his expected return to the game
“Yeah, I'm looking very good, just the finishing touches at the moment, so probably four or five weeks away. I'll still be able to play some footy towards the end of the year, and my main goal for this year is just to finish the year healthy and enjoy my footy and just get back out there on the park.”
Powell-Pepper on Sir Doug Nicholls Round
“I’m a proud Wadjuk and Ballardong Noongar man from Perth. My pop’s side of the family are all from the Torres Strait Islands, so I'm a pretty proud Indigenous man. I do find a bit in Sir Doug Nicholls Round, I tend to play a bit better for those rounds, like all the brothers do as well. It's a pretty special round, and even better to be up here as well, it’s pretty cool.”
Powell-Pepper on Yartapuulti’s preparations ahead of the Suns clash
“I think Yartapuulti are ready to turn it on. I think you can see from the last month of football that we've played. We’re really close at the moment, playing some good footy, but I think things are starting to strengthen up nicely, and we're hoping to get a nice win up in Darwin.”
Powell-Pepper on Tom Anastasopoulos’ debut
“Couldn't be prouder of him and happier for him, because he's put a lot of work in. He's been waiting, and he's finally coming into the side. I’m keen for him to get out there and play his first AFL game. It's pretty special.”
