Australian Football

Dennis Powell was a fine ruckman who boasted considerable stamina and was an excellent palmer of the ball. He spent his entire 15-season league career with the same club, Hobart, and his value is readily evidenced by his feat in winning no fewer than six club best and fairest awards during what was arguably the Tigers’ greatest ever era. In the winning Grand Finals of 1959 against New Norfolk, 1960 against North Hobart, 1963 against Sandy Bay and 1966 against Glenorchy, Powell led the rucks, as he did in the state premiership victory over Burnie in 1959. 

His tally of 272 senior games for Hobart was, at the time of his retirement, a club record. He also represented Tasmania five times, and played 14 intrastate matches for the TFL. Hardly surprisingly, he was included in the first ruck in Hobart’s official ‘Best Team 1947 to 2002’.

Author - John Devaney