PORT ADELAIDE players Jarrod Lienert, Jack Trengove and Dougal Howard have taken time out from footy in a busy Showdown week for an important cause, coming together to spread a message about having respectful relationships.

Lienert, Trengove and Howard joined with staff from White Ribbon Australia to give talks about the campaign to prevent men’s violence against women to players at the Port District Football Club, in the Port Adelaide heartland on Tuesday night.

Players from junior, senior and women’s teams were part of the talks.

“The message of respectful relationships is one which is important to the Port Adelaide Football Club, which we share through our program Power to End Violence Against Women,” said Youth Programs Manager Jake Battifuoco.

“That program is delivered in schools to young men in year 10 and we teach them to recognise disrespect against women and stand up to it.

“The values of that program align strongly with those of the White Ribbon Campaign and the message of having respectful relationships with the women in your life – be that your mum, sister, aunty, teacher or coach – translates well to a football club as well.

“We love getting out into our community, especially in our heartland so we were proud to be involved at Port Districts.”

After the talks, Lienert, Trengove and Howard joined the Port District players in signing a large white ribbon on the club’s wall to affirm their commitment to being respectful to the women in their lives.