PODCAST: BEYOND THE BOUNDARY – APRIL 22
Newcomb coach Tony Mirabella wasn’t mincing words when asked about the importance of tomorrow (Saturday) night’s clash with Ocean Grove as the Power looks to build a solid start to the 2026 season.
After just falling short of snatching victory from reigning premier Anglesea in Round 2, Newcomb ended a 13-year drought against Modewarre in its first appearance at home last week.
It’s opponents like the Warriors and the Grubbers, who finished with last year’s wooden spoon, that Mirabella is well aware the Power have to take care of if they’re to have any chance of snapping a finals drought extending back to their most recent premiership in 2007.
“They’re the games that we weren’t able to win last year,” Mirabella told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“I think everyone recognised that our best footy was competitive with the top tier of teams.
And I think now that we’ve got the leadership around the group now that is able to respond.”
An early sign of Newcomb’s growth is how they responded to the challenge from Modewarre, which narrowed the deficit to 12 points in the final quarter last week.
“Which I just felt in the last few years, we haven’t had that in us on-field in that moment,” Mirabella said.
“This weekend against Ocean Grove, it’s a game we just have to win.
“Credit to ‘Faz’ (Ocean Grove coach Dave Farrell); Great win over Drysie last week.
“So we know what they’re going to bring. We know that they’ll be coming down to Grinter to take a scalp, and we’re ready for it.”
Ocean Grove has made four changes, with former captain Joe McDonald and Kirby Reilly among the inclusions.
However, Harry Cashin has entered the concussion protocol, Blake Poyser is battling a hamstring issue, and Jack Thomson will be on Geelong Falcons duty.
Geelong Amateur will welcome back former AFL pair Hugh Goddard and Hamish Shepheard for a mouthwatering match-up with Barwon Heads at KFC Oval tonight.
Ammos will also have access to John Thornton.
Among the outs are big man Patrick Ryan, who has a foot issue.
The Seagulls get back Charlie Hurst after missing last week’s big win over Anglesea.
He replaces Lachie Blacket, who will be on Geelong Falcons duty.
Portarlington playing coach Sam Scott will return after missing last week’s loss to Torquay for the traditional Anzac Day meeting with Drysdale at Portarlington Recreation Reserve.
The Demons also welcome back Tom Panuccio, Eamon Dowd and Josh Jones.
They replace injured duo Mitch Howard (knee) and Hayden Eddy (ankle), with Kalan Dart and Sam McDonald to feature in the reserves.
The Hawks have lost Jackson Paatsch (shoulder), James Robbins (concussion), and Jackson Payne (unavailable).
They’ve been replaced by debutants Chris Jreige, Ollie Hudson, and Harry Smith.
Jreige has senior GFNL experience to his name after making six appearances for St Albans in 2024.
Anglesea will unveil former Essendon player Jason Ashby for its clash with archrivals Torquay at Ellimatta Reserve on Sunday.
31-year-old Ashby, who made 12 appearances for the Bombers between 2014-16, hasn’t played a full season since 2018, when he was at VAFA club Old Carey.
He replaces former Gold Coast rookie Josh Jaska.
The Tigers, who will be without Travis Boak, have named Paul Burchell, Chad Grossman and Lewis Diamond on an extended interchange bench.
Queenscliff will be without Jayden McHenry (corked thigh) and the suspended Marshall Rippon for its meeting with Surf Coast Suns at Summertime Pools Oval.
Billy Jones and Lachie McKane have been recalled from the reserves.
X: @krockfootball
