Port Adelaide captain Erin Phillips enjoyed a fairytale finish to her football career on Saturday, celebrating with a thumping 58-point win over GWS at Alberton Oval. 

After 66 games, 53 goals and countless accolades, the 38-year-old called time on her remarkable career, and the ending couldn’t have been more perfect. 

“It's pretty unreal, to finish a season off like that was awesome,” Phillips said. 

“I'm just so proud of this group and we owed our fans one here for all the support that they give to us and show up every time we play here, so it was an awesome way to finish off.  

“I've tried to make this crazy week as normal as possible. The amount of messages and people just reaching out was amazing and overwhelming but I was really focused on just trying to prepare as much and as normally as I can and I had a mission to come here and get the win for our team and our club and our fans.” 

Pride Round also took centre stage on Saturday, a round close to Phillips’ heart, with the team wearing a special guernsey designed by one of their own. 

“Ebony O'Dea designed this (guernsey) and when I put it on, it felt right for the last game,” Phillips said. 

“I always say, be yourself, be whoever you want to be and we represented that really well today. I think the league does a great job of representing the community so hopefully everyone's watching this game with great pride.” 

As the most decorated player in the AFLW, Phillips hopes to be remembered for more than just her on-field achievements. 

“Just someone who was a professional, showed up, wore their heart on their sleeve, was able to inspire that next generation, was able to make sure that this pathway was bright and secured for the future of this league,” she said. 

“A lot of us who were here from day one, just even to have a little bit of an impact on this game means a lot. It's insane how I even got to play one game, I still pinch myself that I'm even here.” 

Her family watched on from the Bob Quinn Stand, including brother-in-law Shaun Burgoyne and dad Greg, who was brought to tears by the time the final siren sounded.  

“I just feel very, very fortunate I even got to play one game and to think I came across and signed for two seasons and played all 20 games, I'm just so, so grateful and to finish off my career at Alberton,” Philips said. 

“I couldn't have written it any better. And to have all the family here, 40 tickets or whatever my request was this week, it was off the charts…it was so good to have them here and I'm sure we'll have a good night tonight.” 

As for what’s next, for Phillips it’s taking a decent break and being more present for her wife Tracy and four children, Blake, Brooklyn, Drew and Londyn. 

“I owe it to myself and my family just to step back and have some time away,” she said. 

“I've only known sport since I was 16 so this is going to be unfamiliar territory for me. It’s a little bit uncomfortable because I usually have my three-to-five-year plan but it's good to sit back, see what's next. 

“I just see the next generation of girls that are going to come through, their skill level is just off the charts so I'm excited to now sit back and watch it all unfold and see that next wave just take this league to even greater heights.  

“I couldn't be more proud to be part of it since day one.”