GIRLS have been playing football in Port Adelaide for almost a century. 

Following today's huge announcement that Olympic basketballer Erin Phillips will play for Port Adelaide if it is awarded a licence to compete in the AFL's women's league, a tip off from Twitter user@bounce_down has revealed a connection between Port and female football dating back nearly 100 years. 

An article on page 2 of the Daily Herald on Wednesday 6 November 1918 speaks of a game between Port Adelaide and Thebarton girls at Alberton Oval.

While the Ports were beaten by 44 points, many will nonetheless be interested to see a slice of life in Adelaide school life at the time.

Local connections

Port Adelaide's connection with female football is also more recent. 

The club has had an association with the local Port Adelaide Women's Football Club over the years - the lady Magpies playing in the SA Women's Football League.

One of the pioneers of female football in South Australia is Jenny Williams -  the daughter of club legend Fos (and sister of Port premierships coaches Mark and Stephen), who was a founding member and player of the SAWFL and the winner of the AFL's Football Woman of the Year award in 2003.

IN THE BLOOD: Erin Phillips's long association with Port Adelaide