// This article originally appeared on womens.afl.com.au //
DEEP family ties to Port Adelaide and the club’s faithful fans are driving the feeling of connection for the Power as they head into their first AFLW season.
Erin Phillips, Yasmin Duursma, and Laquoiya and Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap all have family ties to Alberton, something coach Lauren Arnell is using to drive the connection of the team ahead of its inaugural season.
“It’s very special for that group of people to have connection,” Arnell told Credit to the Girls.
“To have those connections for them is just unreal and a lot of what we’re talking about with our group and what our group identifies with is the first time they came together as group was here at Alberton,
“And that connection to place is something that a lot of people can underestimate in life… it's very special for a group of players to have that connection that goes far deeper into their family history than for others.”
While the connection between the team has been a focus in the sides first pre season, Arnell has also experienced how connected the Port Adelaide faithful are to the club and their excitement for the Power to join the AFLW.
“The Port faithful as you’ve described are the best supporters I’ve ever seen in AFL, our first training session was so loud," she said.
“Girls were getting cheered for a mark as if they’d kicked a goal on game day and we all kind of walked off and went this is pretty cool.”
“People feel very connected to Port Adelaide and it’s just got such rich history and tradition, I can’t even find the right words to describe it to you because it’s so meaningful to the community here and it’s a wonderful place to be.”
EPISODE GUIDE
0:51 Port Adelaide Coach Lauren Arnell joins the show
1:20 Working alongside Head of AFLW Juliet Haslam and Operations Manager Rachel Sporn
2:04 Being the first AFLW player to transition to head coach at an AFLW club
5:05 What it’s been like building the Port Adelaide AFLW team
6:10 How Lauren is combating imposter syndrome for herself and her players
7:50 How being a ‘massive nerd for footy’ has helped Lauren on her journey
9:25 What it means to Erin Phillips as part of Port Adelaide
10:25 The family links that make up the Port Adelaide AFLW playing list
12:18 Ange Foley’s leadership and her surprising to connection to coach Lauren Arnell
13:44 The opportunities Port joining the AFLW has opened up for South Australia’s female footballers
15:13 The first showdown and developing that rivalry between the Crows
17:40 Will we see the prison bar guernsey debate ignite for the AFLW team?
18:30 What has been the biggest challenge this pre season?
20:07 What does Lauren Arnell hope Port Adelaide can achieve in its inaugural season?
