Kolora-Noorat's three premiership coaches catch up after 2019 triumph

The Power's three premiership coaches - Ben Walsh (2019), Danny Finn (2017) and Ben Kenna (2009, '10 and '11) - gathered at the Warrnambool and District league club's vote count on Sunday.

Finn, an assistant at South Warrnambool, and recently-signed Terang Mortlake coach Kenna donned the Power's black, white and teal colours in a display which epitomised its welcoming, community-minded spirit.

"That's the beauty about premierships - they bring people together," Walsh, who led the Power to a 32-point win against Nirranda on Saturday, said on Monday.

"The thing we've been talking about all year is the joy it brings the community and yesterday was another opportunity for people to come back. Danny was as excited as anyone to be back and Ben was there all weekend."

Kolora-Noorat joined the Warrnambool and District league in 2003 and took just seven years to collect its first senior flag.

Kenna said the Power's community-focused approach and ability to attract leaders with a similar ethos meant it would "always be successful" in one way or another.

"It is a well run club and will continue to have success in different grades in the years to come," he said.

"The Power footy club was lucky Danny Finn and Ben Walsh came in and embraced and respected the club's values.

"They were outside people who came in and appreciated the club as it is and put their own spin on it as coaches do."

Both Kenna and Finn said the Kolora-Noorat culture became ingrained.

Kenna said the Power was "a family club and a special place to be".

Three of the father-of-four's children play for the Noorat-based team.

Son Isaac is a senior footballer for the Bloods and will play under his dad in 2020.

"We live close to the ground and we'll always be involved in Kolora-Noorat in whatever capacity," Kenna said.

Finn said the successful Kolora-Noorat merger was an example for other clubs contemplating the bold move.

"Since its existence it's only missed one or two finals series," he said.

"In the early days it wasn't easy and a few people were not in favour of it but thought to survive and exist they had to change their mindset."

Finn watched South Warrnambool's reserves and under 18s play in Hampden league second semi-finals in Mortlake on Saturday before racing to Reid Oval for the Power-Blues decider.

"Being's Ben (Walsh's) first cousin, I was rapt to go up and say congratulations to all involved," he said.

"My brother-in-law Nick Marshall played and had a great game. He stays at our place on Friday nights when he has games in Warrnambool.

"He travels from Melbourne and has shown great commitment to come back and play."

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