NEW Kiama Power first grade captain/coach Brent O'Connor considers himself a bit of an "everywhere man", but says his return to the AFL club has the 37-year-old feeling like he's home.
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Deputy principal at Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, he is pleased to be returning to the club where he last played several years ago, and hopes to help Kiama maintain its position as one of the South Coast AFL's top performing sides.
The club has indeed become a real power in the league, winning its first top grade premiership in 2009.
Since then, they lost the grand final in 2010, won again in 2011, were runners-up in 2012 and 2013, before faltering in the finals last year and missing the grand final by one game.
"I know the record of the club and am proud of being given the opportunity to coach the first grade team - I can't wait for the season to come around," O'Connor said.
"We have plenty of bright young talent and some wise older heads to point those young legs in the right direction, it's pretty exciting."
O'Connor played his juniors in Broken Hill and in the Wollondilly competition, but has also played for or coached West Newcastle, West Broken Hill, Wentworth Districts, South Broken Hill, Wanderers, Western Suburbs, Pennant Hills, Muswellbrook (where he was player/coach for four years), Narrabri and Kiama in 2012 and part of 2013.
"But with a young family, it was time to head back to the coast and we have settled in Albion Park, close to my wife's family, and this move will, hopefully, be a more permanent one.
"As for the opposition this year, the addition of Wollongong Lions, who have returned from playing second division in Sydney, could be strong, while University are a very good side, and Bomaderry are always there or there-abouts, so we will have to be at our best to remain at the top."
In a major move, the Power has changed its playing strip this season, removing the red from the team jersey and instead adopting a look similar to the Port Adelaide away outfit.
President Mark Houghton-Smith said the decision was made at a recent club meeting and would move the seniors' strip much closer to the juniors.
Anyone keen to keep up with club news can visit its new Facebook page for player profiles and match reports.