From riding on Cloud 9 after being rookie-listed by the Eagles at the end of the 2013 season, Rowen Powell suffered a harsh trip back down to reality when he realised he had to undergo shoulder surgery soon after.
After a lengthy stint in rehab, the 19-year-old, who had never experienced such a serious injury previously in his career, was finally up and going again when he suffered a further setback and a line was drawn through his season after round 13.
Powell told Eagle Eye TV that he learned a lot from the experience, although it is not one his is eager to repeat any time soon.
“It was a good year, in terms of maturity,” Powell said.
“But overall, it’s a year I’d like to put behind me and I’d like to move on from it.
“Rehab’s really lonely, it’s very difficult. It feels like I haven’t touched a footy in so long.
“The shoulder was my first serious injury and it’s nearly been a year and a half, so it’s a shock to the system, but I look forward to the challenges it brings.
“I really want to cement a spot in WAFL this year.”
The aspiring key defender, who hopes to model his game on Cat Andrew Mackie, has followed the lead of a number of his teammates in bulking up for the season ahead.
He said taking part in weights sessions with the likes of Shannon Hurn and Beau Waters has given him something to aim for.
“I came to the club weighing at about 77 kilos, and then I had shoulder surgery so I think I got down to 76 at one stage,” Powell told Eagle Eye TV.
“At the moment I’m 88, so I’ve put 12 kilos in about 12 months. I spent a lot of time in the nutritionist’s office and also the gym.
“I’ve been following a lot of the backline boys around, who are probably the biggest powerhouses in the club all in the gym, so you can’t escape them.
“You just have to train hard and the results will come and I’ve been finding that. You probably see me carrying a tin of protein around with me everywhere.”
Powell shares a special bond with all his teammates, but especially the 2014 intake, and hopes to play out the rest of his football career with them.
“I’ve got really good friendships with all the first year players,” Powell said.
“You stick together, you go through as a group and you hope to retire as a group.”
