WHILE they lead different lives, careers and study one-and-a-half hours north of Noorat, one thing links the Power’s Ballarat-based contingent.
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Commitment.
Jake Richardson, Luke Tebble and Bailey Kemp have made a habit of travelling back to the club at least once a week for training, clocking countless hours on the road.
It’s yielded grand final spots for both Richardson and Tebble, while Kemp has gathered valuable senior experience as a first-year senior player.
I needed more touch on the footy, and I think it’s helped my football a lot coming down on a Thursday.
- Jake Richardson
Richardson, a designer with a clothing company in Ballarat, said travelling back to Noorat for training had improved his football.
“I trained with a club up in Ballarat last season. The grounds up there are horrible, you’re pretty much knee-deep in much,” he said.
“It got to the stage where I needed to have more touch on the footy, and I think it’s helped my football a lot coming down on a Thursday.
“It’s much better training with the team here, and you’ll get Sugar (Sean Bourke) giving you a bit of a cuddle. It’s a bit of fun and it’s made a big difference.”
The 24-year-old said Kolora-Noorat’s players based outside the small farming community had slotted in with ease.
Tebble, a university student, said the upbeat atmosphere around the Power was exciting to be a part of.
“Coming back on Tuesday as well during finals is a bit exhausting but it’s so worth it. We all want that feeling and the excitement that it brings,” he said.
“Everybody is cheerful and you just feel on top of the world. We’re just happy to see the guys who just (travel down for games) on Saturday.
“We love coming back to this ground because I think it’s one of the best in the league, particularly in its prime.”
While Richardson admitted he was a mix of nerves and excitement, Tebble said tension was yet to set in.
“I’m not too bad. I probably won’t be nervous until Saturday morning,” he said.
“The atmosphere is always like this at the Power. We’re always up and about so it’s not too different to normal.”
The grand final, against Old Collegians, will take place at 2pm on Saturday at Reid Oval.