A version of this article originally appeared on womens.afl

YOUNG players have been gradually emerging from unbroken pathways and hitting the AFLW hard in recent seasons. They are a resilient bunch, joining the competition during a particularly tumultuous time - thanks COVID - but are still changing the face of AFLW. 

So, who at Port Adelaide was born in 2001 or later and is forming part of this changing of the guard?  

Player information is correct as at February 27. The 2023 AFLW priority signing period will open on March 1, with the trade period commencing on March 10. Draft details are yet to be confirmed ahead of AFLW season eight. 

Hit the ground running 

Hannah Ewings, 18, didn't just win the AFLW Rising Star in her debut season, but also took out Port Adelaide's inaugural best and fairest count, and for good reason. Pick No.3 in the 2022 draft, Ewings strikes the perfect balance between inside strength, averaging 3.9 clearances and 4.9 tackles, and outside ball movement, averaging 3.7 inside 50s and 294.9 metres gained. 

As part of an expansion team, Ewings was just as important to the side as experienced players like Erin Phillips and Ange Foley were, which bodes well for coach Lauren Arnell as she looks toward future seasons. 

Long-term prospect 

Amelie Borg didn't have the easiest introduction to AFLW, playing as a key defender in a new side, regularly coming up against strong forwards. Despite this, Borg showed enough to suggest she can be a key post around which Port Adelaide's long-term defence can be built. 

Throughout season seven, Borg averaged 3.3 intercepts and 2.3 one percenters often playing deep in defence, with arguably her best game coming against North Melbourne where she registered 10 disposals, five marks and five intercepts. 

Surprise packet 

Abbey Dowrick was an underrated expansion signing by Arnell and her team as they were building Port Adelaide's inaugural list. Dowrick, a star junior in Western Australia, had taken some time away from elite pathways and followed sister McKenzie to South Australia. While in SA, Dowrick periodically played for SANFLW side Woodville-West Torrens, and from there caught the eye of Port Adelaide's recruiters. 

Immediately her impact was evident, earning a Rising Star nomination in round one thanks to her 21 disposals, seven marks and six clearances against West Coast. Forming a strong midfield partnership with Ewings, it is Dowrick's ability to gain ground with her possession that proved so important for the Power, as she averaged 300.4 metres gained throughout season seven.