He quickly became known as a player whose hardness and aggression at the ball was invaluable, continuing this role as the Bulldogs reached preliminary finals in 1997 and 1998.
Surprisingly, at the end of 1999 he was traded went to the Melbourne Football Club much to the dismay of Bulldogs fans, where he immediately became a major contributor in helping them reach a Grand Final in 2000.
His experience at the Saints was invaluable to their young and developing list, and he was an often underrated player in a midfield that included stars such as Lenny Hayes, Robert Harvey and Nick Dal Santo Such was his contribution that season, he finished third in the Trevor Barker Award .
Returning from injury in Round 9 he never quite reached the level of consistency of 2003, and lack of pace then became an issue, although he was a regular first team member.
2006 was Powell's last season of football, playing only 10 matches and announcing his retirement, in September, a week after St Kilda's exit from the 2006 AFL Finals Series.