Port Adelaide has officially shut down Sam Powell-Pepper's season, with the 28-year-old unable to overcome the mental and physical hurdles of a second knee reconstruction. Powell-Pepper, who last played in the AFL on July 5 last year, made a brief return to state league football a fortnight ago but has now been ruled out until pre-season training.
Mental Struggles Sideline Powell-Pepper
Power coach Josh Carr told reporters on Friday that the decision was driven by the mental toll on the player. “It’s more the mental side of it, especially for Pep right now,” Carr said. “Everyone knows what Pep is like: he wants to be out there. But he wants (to be) at his best to do that and just doesn’t feel quite right. And we totally get it.”
The 158-game veteran underwent an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in 2024, and this year's setback involved the same surgery on his other knee. Both knees have now undergone the same operation, complicating his recovery.
Club Takes Control of Recovery
Carr explained that the club has taken the decision out of Powell-Pepper's hands to ensure his long-term health. “We totally understand where it sits with him right now,” Carr said. “The middle of winter, the (state league) ovals aren’t great, he hasn’t done a pre-season in a while - so we have taken it out of his hands. We think the best thing for him is to get through the rest of this year and then attack the pre-season ... he’s really comfortable with that.”
Powell-Pepper's last AFL appearance was in Round 17, 2024, against the Western Bulldogs. He has played 158 games for Port Adelaide since his debut in 2017, known for his physical style and versatility in the midfield and forward lines.
Impact on Port Adelaide's Season
The loss of Powell-Pepper for the remainder of the season is a blow to Port Adelaide's depth, but the club is prioritizing his recovery. With a strong list, the Power remain in contention for finals, sitting fifth on the ladder as of mid-August. Powell-Pepper will now focus on a full pre-season program ahead of the 2026 campaign.
