This summer, Australian Football League (AFL) players are showing significant developments, particularly at North Melbourne, where young midfielder Tom Powell and star player Kysaiah Pickett from Melbourne are making headlines for their progress and potential career decisions.
Tom Powell has focused intensely on his physical evolution this preseason. Arriving at Arden Street as a younger player, Powell has perfected his training regimen, which this year aims to balance muscle gain with running capacity—a task he deemed challenging yet rewarding. “I spent a fair bit of time in my early years eating food and lifting weights, trying to get as heavy as possible,” Powell explained to AFL.com.au. “But this year I found it almost harder than just putting on weight.”
At 22 years old, Powell has adopted his training routine, carefully structured by North Melbourne's strength and conditioning team, which allows him to maintain his playing weight without sacrificing speed or endurance. Remarkably, he managed to improve his time trial records significantly over the offseason. “I felt like I could do [gaining weight] quite easily. But keeping fit and not losing weight... is hard to find,” he acknowledged, pointing out the delicate balance he needed to achieve.
Powell’s commitment paid off, as he emerged from his breaks with renewed vigor and improved performance metrics. His quickening pace and the focus on building lower body strength, as emphasized by midfield coach Leigh Adams, have not gone unnoticed by his coaches and teammates. “He looks like he's able to fend off, tackle and drive through groundballs a bit more,” Adams noted, describing Powell's ascension within the team. “He’s playing with the men now and he looks like one of the men.”
Training alongside players he idolized growing up, like Luke Parker and Caleb Daniel, has provided Powell with not just inspiration but practical skill development. “Luke's work in the contest is elite... I am trying to go head-to-head with him as much as possible,” he remarked about competing with Parker. Powell's budding confidence as he absorbs knowledge from his experienced teammates suggests he is poised for a breakout season.
Meanwhile, across the league, Kysaiah Pickett's situation presents another layer of player dynamics within the AFL. Close to his coach Simon Goodwin, Pickett has been reluctant to ask for a trade to Fremantle, but this could change as the season progresses. Jon Ralph reported, “Kysaiah Pickett is close to his coach Simon Goodwin... it’s one reason he’s yet to ask for a trade.” This connection pushes Pickett to think carefully about his next steps.
The stability of Goodwin's position will be pivotal - if changes arise within the coaching structure, it may prompt Pickett to reevaluate his loyalties. The uncertainty surrounding his future brings added intrigue to the club's internal relationships and performance this coming season.
Both Powell and Pickett embody the potential for growth not only within themselves but also for their respective clubs as they adapt and evolve as players. Powell is generating enthusiasm among fans and teammates alike, emphasizing the need for North Melbourne to rise through the ranks as they look to improve their standings. “It's time for this sort of talk to come to fruition,” he asserts. “We need to take the next step.”
With increased depth and skill targets, particularly for North Melbourne’s midfield—bolstered by players like Luke Davies-Uniacke and Harry Sheezel—the sentiments conveyed by both players indicate promising trajectories. Powell’s commitment and potential breakout capability speak volumes about the team's direction. Likewise, Pickett's loyalty toward Goodwin may hold the key to his continued development and impact on Melbourne's performance.
Overall, as the preseason develops, insights about both players highlight key trends and dynamics affecting their teams. Players like Powell and Pickett are significant to their clubs, as their journeys continue to shape the narrative of the AFL heading toward the new season.