In an exclusive interview, Power told the Stawell Times-News that he was disappointed with talks between the club and lashed out at their lack of interest/commitment to retaining his services for 2009.

Power also revealed his desire to stick with the club next season despite being poised to take on a new role at Tennis Victoria in Melbourne on October 13.

Rathgeber said he was surprised with Power's comments that were published in the Stawell Times-News on September 26, but confirmed the club definitely wanted to keep him as a player in 2009. However, Warriors simply believed he should be given more time to settle, with a number of important things happening in his life.

``He is moving to Melbourne, he is trying to sell his house, he has got a new job and he had his injured finger operated on,'' Rathgeber said.

``If you go through the things he had on his mind you would be amazed.''

Rathgeber said Power had been a long time servant to the club.

``He has been a senior player and there is no reason why he can't be a senior player and that's why we still want him.

``He is very vital to the whole (club) and we definitely want him there, there is definitely no animosity on that part of it. Of course we want him, he has been around the club for a long, long time.

``He has been a senior player and there is no reason why he can't be a senior player - that's why we still want him.''

Rathgeber said the last week that the club was likely to speak with Power again at the presentation evening on Saturday night but wanted to give him time to settle into his new job and home in Melbourne before making a decision on his future.

``He is already at the club so it is up to him to consider whether he is worth the trip back,'' he said.

``You have got to negotiate with these sorts of things. You rate them (players) and you have got to do it fairly.''

``You don't like losing players whether they are your top ruckman and your Brent Tuckeys down to your bottom level players. They are all numbers and it is all about numbers and having players to pick from. That is what builds the strength around your club.''

- Onballer Ben Scott took out the Stawell Warriors senior best and fairest award on Saturday night.

Scott won the senior award from teammate Paul Hanns and skipper Ben Williamson.

Joel Freeland won the reserves award.