Port Adelaide senior coach Lauren Arnell is keen to get back on the winners’ list this Saturday, when her side takes on Sydney at Alberton Oval.
The Power will host the Swans in the venue’s first ever twilight NAB AFLW game, with a team signing session and fireworks display taking place after the football.
Arnell spoke to the Adelaide media on Friday to talk about what went wrong against West Coast, how to tackle Sydney and Maddy Keryk’s milestone match.
Arnell on the season so far
“Five games in now and one (win) and four (losses), having played three of the top five probably teams in the comp. We feel last week was undisciplined and not the best of us, which I think everyone would have seen so we're looking to get back on the right foot again Saturday. You definitely ask a lot of questions from even throughout the game and then post-game and during the week (but) then you have to move forward as well.
“Our focus going into this weekend is actually just go back to what we know we’re good at and building confidence in that. We feel we actually had quite a lot of confidence since pre-season and we've just got to return to that and make sure that you come into the game focusing on what you do well.”
Arnell on her forward line
“I think having Indy Tahau and Ash Saint out in the same week really hurt us (last round). That was pretty obvious I think for many to see, so to have Ash back, not just for her ability to win one v one but certainly to set up shape ahead of the ball and lead that forward line alongside Gemma is going to be really helpful for us.”
Arnell on the first AFLW twilight game at Alberton
“First ever twilight game at Alberton for W is super exciting and I really encourage our people to come down. Obviously, the footy game is the main event then we’ve got some fireworks afterwards and whole player signing session so the whole team will be out there for our families and our members after the game.”
Arnell on taking on Sydney
“Last year's game obviously went our way but a lot has changed since then. Both teams have added some talent to their list and Sydney have done that as well as anyone so looking forward to another good contest on the weekend.
“(Chloe) Molloy and (Lucy) McEvoy are certainly big additions for the Swans team and two that you put some homework into. The other side of that is that we get to play (against) some really exceptional players on Saturday so our group's looking forward to that.
Arnell on her team’s strengths
“We've certainly put a lot of time into offence and I think we faded a bit with our forward shape last week and even developing our ability to win contests, we're 15 games into our existence as a team so the more we develop our ability to win contest, the better we can drive our offence. I think we just lacked a bit of discipline as I said, and forward shape last week. Because we've put a lot of time into our offence, we're giving up a bit defensively but we feel if you get back on the right foot offensively, it's not as big of a concern.”
Arnell on Maddy Keryk’s 50th game
“Maddy Keryk plays her 50th game (this week) and there's not many what you'd call ‘originals’ hanging around in the comp as players, so for Maddy to have played the first ever game and to now reach her 50th game at her third club is really pretty special. She's certainly added so much to our group on and off field in a short space of time so (there’s) lots for her and her family to be proud of.
“The type of person Maddy is, is a real team person and she always has been and I think if you're in the system as long as Maddy has now, which is from day one, there's a lot of highs and lows and that perspective at this level of sport is really important. To have someone who is…new to the group and everyone sees the minute she walks in the door she's a team person, that adds more value than you can probably imagine in our environment, so we really value her.”
Arnell on Port Adelaide’s First Nations guernsey released this week
“I was fortunate enough to meet (artist) Tjunkaya (Ken) over lunch a little while ago now, a few months ago and her and Gemma (Houghton) and the story of that jumper is really special. I can't wait for everyone to hear that story and for it to be shared even wider than what it has been and to celebrate Indigenous Round (from) next week. I think when you start building a story about who we are as a team within the Port Adelaide Football Club, being able to do that as well as we have and to have five Indigenous players in our playing group this year, which is far more than anyone else in the competition, is something we’re very proud of and I can't wait to celebrate it.”
