By Jonty Ralphsmith
Officer’s Brodie Snooks has made the Power list for the first time as a top-aged player following a season of growth which culminated in three senior games for the Kangaroos in 2023.
Following strong form as a balanced midfielder for Officer’s Under-19s, Snooks collected 30 possessions on debut from the wing.
“His work rate was fantastic and he got himself into the right positions and his teammates found him,” senior coach Daniel Charles recalls of the debut.
“As the game went on, he grew in confidence and it was a very special debut from a young kid and I think that helped him understand where he’s at and where he could be at and there’s no surprises that he has made Power’s list this year.”
The teenager’s coachability and professionalism are attributes which have Charles confident in his potential.
“His attitude, his efforts, his willingness to learn and get better really shone through,” Charles said.
“Anything that was told to him by any of the coaches he did his best to make happen.
“In the off-season he worked on his running and he always has a footy in his hand so he’s always working on his skills and trying to get better.
“He’s put on some size so he looks like he has gotten a lot stronger, which is going to help him, and he’s lost no pace, so what he has done is given himself the best opportunity to showcase his talents at the higher level.”
Reigning Harold Ramage medallist Luke Smaluch, who has worked closely with the teen, was equally complimentary of Snooks.
“Mark my words, that kid is going to be a future superstar of the competition one day,” Smaluch told Star News at the end of last season.
“He is going to cause plenty of headaches for future opposition coaches.”
Meanwhile, Tooradin-Dalmore pair Jehi Esler and Jesse Craven are both returning to the Power as 19-year-olds.
Esler is a key-position-player who settled in defence late in the season for Gippsland, and spent time training with Box Hill in preseason, but is facing a delayed start to the season due to a hamstring injury.
“He’s very versatile, a great size and a great runner,” said Gulls coach Jordan Kelly.
“He’ll take some time to develop, but he has a high ceiling because he’s a hard worker and keen learner; he does lots of training outside of Tooradin and Gippy.”
Craven is a hard-runner who split his time between Haileybury College, Gippy and the Seagulls in 2023, playing one senior game on the wing.
“We were very surprised at how natural he was on the wing,” Kelly said.
“Even when he’s at training, you can see his understanding of the role has developed with Gippy and Haileybury.
“He’s fit, super-skilled and a smart footballer.”
From further abroad, the Power list also contains AFL Academy members Xavier Lindsay and Ricky Mentha.
See a full list of locals below.
Brodie Atkins – Drouin
Harrison Canning – Berwick
Jesse Craven – Tooradin-Dalmore
Jehi Esler – Tooradin-Dalmore
Lewis Robbins – Warragul Industrials
Riley Senini – Warragul
Brodie Snooks – Officer
Alix Tairu – Warragul Industrials
Oliver Wilson – Warragul
GIPPSLAND POWER FIXTURE
Friday 29 March – Dandenong Stingrays v Gippsland, Belvedere Reserve
Sunday 7 April – Bendigo Pioneers v Gippsland, Mars Stadium
Saturday 20 April – Gippsland v Sydney Swans Academy, Shepley Oval
Saturday 4 May – Gippsland v Western Jets, Morwell Recreation Reserve
Sunday 12 May – GWV v Gippsland, La Trobe University
Sunday 26 May – Gippsland v Sandringham, Morwell Recreation Reserve
TBC – Bendigo Pioneers v Gippsland
Saturday 15 June – Murray v Gippsland, ETU Stadium
Sunday 23 June – Gippsland v Geelong, Shepley Oval
TBC – Gippsland v Tasmania Devils
Sunday 21 July – Gippsland v Eastern Ranges, Morwell Recreation Reserve
TBC – Western Jets v Gippsland
Saturday 3 August – GWV v Gippsland, ETU Stadium
Sunday 18 August – Gippsland v Northern Knights, Morwell Recreation Reserve
Saturday 24 August – Gippsland v Dandenong Stingrays, Morwell Recreation Reserve
