Port Adelaide senior coach Lauren Arnell is excited to start the NAB AFLW season with a bang, by taking on traditional rivals Adelaide.
The Showdown marks the start of the Power’s second year in the competition and will be one of three derbies played around the country this weekend, to open the 2023 season.
Arnell spoke with the Adelaide media on Friday about the excitement leading into Round 1, her newest recruits and what fans can expect to see on field over the next few months.
Arnell on Showdown in Round 1
“I think to build momentum into the season in SA and for our people, it is really exciting. Looking forward to seeing Norwood packed out with a lot of Port Adelaide people tomorrow.
“We feel we've made a lot of progress of the back of last year, we've added eight new players to our team. We've got three club debutants and an AFLW debutant tomorrow so why not test it against what's been one of the best sides in the comp for eight years now.”
Arnell on debutant Matilda Scholz
“Matilda is a really exciting young talent and I think she's shown that for a number of years in the talent pathway and playing for Glenelg at SANFL level for a couple of years now. It's a really exciting opportunity for her and she's done everything that she can and really earned her debut for tomorrow and we're pumped for her.
“She's a ripping young woman and her personality on and off field is fantastic, and she's been a really nice addition to our group. Our team is so excited for her.”
Arnell on captain Erin Phillips’ role this season
“Expect Erin to split her time across the ground, we know how versatile she is. She's had, in her words, her best pre-season ever and (she’s) in the best shape she's been so really excited for that, given it was pretty interrupted for her last year. Particularly for those experienced players last year having two seasons in 12 months was challenging for them and then having surgery in between for Erin was tough so I'm just excited and really pumped that she's fit and healthy and ready to go.
Arnell on expectations for her side’s second season
“I think for us, even just right now, we're a second season expansion team in season eight of the competition so while we believe we’ve made really strong progress over a longer off-season, which has been really nice for us, it will be a really nice challenge and a good test for us tomorrow.
Arnell on former Fremantle duo Janelle Cuthbertson and Jasmin Stewart
“Janelle's added incredible experience, not just on field but off field to our team, and she’s a real leader to support our existing leadership group. I can't speak highly enough of Janelle. Jazzy Stewart who was really, really young at Freo and left the game for a period of time and we're just excited to see the best of her now. She's put her best foot forward since she got here to Port Adelaide and we're really rapt for her too.”
Arnell on her side’s attack
“I think if you've watched our pre-season trial games, you'll see our ability to score has been a real focus for us. Off the back of last year, there are probably two key areas, being the fitness of our squad with the time we had…and our offence. I'm looking forward to seeing that unfold tomorrow.”
Arnell on announcing her pregnancy
“One of the beautiful things about having this role is I get to share it with a whole footy club and a wonderful group of people, so it's been really exciting, but what's more exciting right now is Round 1 is tomorrow for us so we're pumped.”
