Vale Steve Powell- Tribute Match Saturday April 6

Prahran Assumption Football Club has lost its ultimate team player Steve Powell.

When news filtered through on Saturday morning (March 9) that Powelly, 57, had died of a heart attack overnight there was a collective re-action of disbelief and grief.

Powelly was in footy terms a true utlility player. The many and varied roles he filled at the footy club were done with aplomb and a minimum of fuss.  A life member, his dedication to the club was further noted when he was presented with a special Volunteer Medal by the VAFA in 2017 (pictured).

Powelly's link to our club started back in the Southbank days in the 1997 when Derek Hine, now Collingwood head of recruiting, was appointed coach.

Hine and his 'right hand man' Anthony Jackson, now a Prahran Assumption recruiting manager, decided it would give them an edge if they could find a forward 'scout' to analyse the team they were playing the following week and later was on the match committee.

Powelly was the man they went to and so he became universally known as 'The Spy.' His 'espionage' work proved invaluable and gave an insight into his deep thinking and knowledge of the game.

He was heavily invested in the fortunes of both seniors and reserves in his own reserved way. The giveaway was when he was pacing the boundary line, puffing on his cigarette.!

At Prahran Assumption he served on the committee and was football director from 2008 to 2011 which proved to be a premiership year.

He assisted countless coaches as collector of the Players Player votes, collated Best And Fairest votes, was the 'board man' for the Reserves coach among other roles.

When our regular match report correspondent for the website and Stonnington Leader was away who better to turn to that Powelly. And he expertly did so in his typical no fuss style.

What many may not know is Powelly was a talented sportsman, excelling in football and basketball in his hometown Castlemaine, and an eight handicap golfer. He was a primary school teacher for 15 years at Olympic Village, Heidelberg West, before taking a package and then went to work for Kev Matherson at Shann accessories.

You hear it said in many organisations that no one is irreplaceable.

In the case of Steve Powell, we beg to differ.

A celebration of Powelly’s life this coming Sunday 2pm - 5pm Great Northern Hotel, 644 Rathdowne St. North Carlton,

Funeral service will be conducted at 2pm Tuesday at the Campbell's Creek Community Centre.