As a heavily feted junior footballer – if you don’t believe it just take a look at the 15 year old MPJNL interleague and AGS Jumper reed still wears to training – some of his mates were a little surprised that Reed joined to choose the Pirates over Mornington. It was well known that the local club were pretty keen to get Reed to Alexandria Oval. But he choose the Pirates and has been a loyal servant ever since.
As Captain of the school team and an AGS player in Year 11 many expected Reed to become a senior footballer straight away but had to wait until Rd 6 of 1998 to make his debut v Glenhuntly at home. He started in the back pocket and also immediately settled himself in the senior team that would go on to lose the preliminary final against Old Camberwell.
Aside from getting himself settled in the senior team Reed’s main achievement was acquiring the nickname “Spoofa”. Legend has it that at the first year players night of that year Cam Landry declared that all football clubs had to have a bloke called “Spoofa”, and the next first year player to walk through the door would e adorned with that moniker. Unfortunately for Reed his massive chest was the next one through the door and the nickname has stuck ever since. Although we all know many nicknames have been added to the list since then.
Over the next few years Reed quickly moved from his beloved back pocket into the midfield and established himself as one of the pirates best and hardest players. He finished runner up in the best and fairest in 2001 and 2002 but probably his most famous moment would come mid way through the next season
The Pirates were playing Bentleigh at school in the middle of 2003 when the ball came into the Pirate forward line along the creek side of the ground. The Bentleigh defence won the football in front of the chapel and looked to bring the ball back out the other side of the ground. The Bentleigh full back handballed over Nick Claringbold’s head to a player who had every right to believe he had the entire Pavilion wing to himself. Unfortunately for him a Pirate midfielder has interchanged with Spoofa a minute earlier and he was now building up pace as he got closer and closer to the Bentleigh player. Almost everyone else on the field and in the crowd could see what was coming expect the Bentleigh player in question. He took the handball from the Bentleigh fullback and as soon as he turned around he was met full on by the barrel chest of Reed Powney. A shudder was sent across Apex park as the Bentleigh player was prostrate on the ground not moving. Trainers we called and the game stopped for 10 minutes while he was stretchered off. The funny thing was barely a Bentleigh player remonstrated with the General as the hip and shoulder was completely fair. Word from the Bentleigh camp was that the hit ended the player’s career.
Another incident from the 2003 season also helps sum Spoofa up. The Pirates finished on top that year, but lost the second semi final to Fitzroy, and faced off against West Brunswick in the preliminary final. On talent the Pirates should have won easily but half way through the second quarter it was close on the scoreboard, but West Brunswick had all the momentum. As West Brunswick won another centre clearance and were about to kick the ball long into their forward line Reed came from nowhere and smothered the kick. The ball rebounded into the arms of a trailing Pirate midfielder and we kicked a goal directly from the turnover. It was a match turning one percenter that led to the Pirates kicking the next three goals and winning the match. Like much of Reed’s work it wasn’t flashy but incredibly effective.
Not quite as effective though has been Reeds ability in producing quick witted comebacks. Good mate and former Pirate remembers Reed getting stuck into Williamstown forward Tim Wheeler one day in the goal square. Wheeler quick as a flash turned to the goal umpire and asked for a copy of the record so he could find out Reed’s name!
Fashion has also been a bit of a stumbling block for the General over the years. However is most famous fashion faux pas – almost up there with Woody’s three quarter pants – was his RUSTYYYYYY hat from 2006 Mad Monday.
As his hair line shows Reed is getting older and at times his body has let him down but after going 2 years without polling a best and fairest vote he has turned back the clock Benjamin Button style in the past season and a half.
Benjamin Button is just one of many nicknames that he has acquired over the years, many based on numerous like-a-likes that have arisen. Starting with Spoofa he has variously been known as the following over the years: Spoofa, Barrel, The General, Craig Parry, George Costanza, Mark Eelham and RUSTYYYYY hat.
As anyone at the club can attest Reed sets the ultimate example of how to play tough, uncompromising team football. This is reflected in him being a vice captain of the club since 2003. Fellow PCG founder Al Wood had this to say about the General
“I often remind myself when I get carried away paying out on his rubbish fashion sense and bizarre likeness to several famous faces that Reed could, quite literally, kill me with a single thought.
He’s a leader, bleeder and Advanced Hair believer that I proudly march onto the footy field each week and play with. He’s one of the toughest, accountable and most passionate Pirates and the true stalwart of the inspirational PCG group. Well done Reedos.”
Payzey has played a lot of football with Reed and paid tribute to him:
“I first met Reed in 1989 when we had lockers next to each other in Grade 4. Since then not much has changed. He was our ruckman in Grade 5 & 6, and since then he has only grown outwards not upwards. Since we joined the Pirates he has been not only one of the best players on the field but as a leader has been outstanding in the example he has set on and off the field. This is exemplified by his work on the committee this year. On field he is as tough a player as I have seen who willingly puts his body on the line all the time. He is probably the most competitive person I know and I would go to war with him everyday of the week. That said I still hold a grudge against him for getting dropped for him in 1998 for my only reserves game!” Everyone at the Pirates wishes Reed all the best in his 200th game on Saturday!