Fresh from the AFLW Draft on Monday night, Piper Window and Alissa Brook have explored Alberton Oval for the first time as Port Adelaide players. 

Window and Brook were picked up by the Power at picks 19 and 25 respectively, with the pair completing the club’s list for 2024. 

Both players spoke with the media on Wednesday about their new opportunity at the top level. 

Piper Window 
Window on being drafted to Port Adelaide 
“It’s really exciting. I’ve got quite a few friends here as well so I’m just so excited to get into it and can’t wait to be able to learn so much at this next level and be able to actually reach the top level is so cool. I’m so excited to get into and meet everyone and take on the opportunities that I’m provided with.” 

Window on her name being called at the draft 
“I think I kept it together pretty well actually. It was a bit nerve-wracking when Port dropped down that pick, we were expecting it to be 18 and then it went to a different club but as soon as Port read out my name it was just so exciting. I had heard a few good things from Port but also Crows as well so it was so exciting and I was a bit speechless in a way because I had my whole family there and everyone was just so proud. It was such a cool moment to experience.” 

Window on her best mate at Port Adelaide 
“Matilda Scholz is one of my best friends. I facetimed her straight away after (the draft Monday) so that was really exciting and I’m thrilled to be able to play with her again after playing with her at Glenelg so it’s good to be back with her again.” 

Window on her grandpa, Magarey Medallist Gary Window 
“It’s been amazing, growing up I always played netball so I didn’t know how big how big (of a deal he was) and how much of a footy family we were and when I started playing footy and I started chatting to people I was like oh he’s actually pretty big and he’s done a lot of things. So to be here and to have him looking over me, it’s pretty good and so glad he’s been a part of it because he’s had a massive impact on (my journey) so it’s pretty good to be following in his footsteps.” 

Window on who she’s looking forward to playing alongside 
“Kind of everyone to be honest. Just moving up into that next level is pretty cool to be able to play with everyone who has already experienced it for a while. I guess all my friends from Glenelg, someone like Ella Boag for example, she’s improved so much since she’s been here so someone like her, it’s pretty cool to be able to come up and learn off of her. Heaps of other players too, like Ash Saint, having her present my guernsey to me too was really exciting. Kind of everyone I’m just so excited to play with because they’re all so good and I guess everyone’s kind of my idol in a way.” 

Window on the impact she hopes to have 
“I guess just coming in and straight away, as soon as we start that extra running and pre-season (I want to put) in all my effort. I want to be a determined player like I always have been so just trying my hardest and doing what I can, doing my extras and just learning off everyone. Hopefully (playing) some games and showing what I can do and just improving myself and using my strengths.” 

Window on the challenge of the next level 
“I guess I’ll just embrace it. Coming off a strong season (in the SANFLW), I’m just excited to play and show them what I can bring as well and walking in, I’m moving back down to the bottom of the ranks but I want to be able to work my way up and learn off the players I can and take on all the opportunities and better myself as a player.” 

Alissa Brook 
Brook on being drafted to Port Adelaide  
“It was amazing, it was just such genuine shock. Watching my face in the videos back, it’s like you can just see I was so not expecting it and it’s such a raw reaction. As soon as all the girls got around me I just broke down a bit, I was so excited. It was such a whirlwind and I kept hugging everyone and they were like ‘you can speak’ and I was like ‘I don’t know what to say!’ It was amazing. 

“It’s definitely something I’m really proud of to come to Port is that they’re still establishing themselves (in the AFLW) so to be part of, not quite at the very start, but the start of an amazing (team) on their way up, it’s really cool to be a part of that and grow with it.” 

Brook on if she thought she would be drafted 
“It definitely wasn’t here I was expecting (to end up). I did speak to Port around a week beforehand and I had spoken to Crows a few times before that. Initially I thought I was going interstate, I selected national for a reason and thought I’d be moving. I had a bit of interest from other clubs so definitely wasn’t expecting Port to pick me up.” 

Brook on supporting Port growing up 
“I grew up supporting Port, my mum’s dad was a huge Port supporter. He has all the guernseys hung up in their house so mum and I definitely grew up going for Port but my brothers and dad were Crows. They’re happy to support Port in the women’s especially…everyone’s a hundred per cent eager to get in the colours and everyone’s loving it.” 

Brook on her family support 
“They just want to be involved in everything, as soon as I get a call or a text they’re like ‘we’re coming!’ As soon as they go to work, they’re calling me asking if I’ve heard anything and they’re just so excited and super proud. Football definitely didn’t seem like it was going to be a huge career for me at all because I was in the reserves side for a while so it definitely just took off at the end there and it’s just gone from zero to a hundred really fast.” 

Brook on who she loves watching play 
“Someone I’ve always loved watching is Indy Tahau, I know she’s down with an ACL now, I was actually here to watch that and it was horrible. She’s definitely someone that I aspire to play like and I think it’s awesome that I get to play at a club with her, especially when she comes back it will be awesome to play with her. She’s literally everywhere and attacks the ball with a hundred per cent pace and she makes such a big impact everywhere she goes and she’s awesome to watch.” 

Brook on stepping up to the next level 
“Like I said, it’s gone from zero to a hundred really fast so it’s just another step up. Obviously it’s very exciting and I know I’ve put in the hard work to be able to get here but starting now it’s a whole other level so I’ve got to step it up again. 

“I’m just expecting it to be hard work and putting in dedication. I’m expecting to have ups and downs like everyone, but that’s just the way it is. I think I’m definitely going to enjoy everything and it’s so amazing to be with a whole new bunch of girls and I hope I’ll fit right in.” 

Brook on her strengths  
“I’m definitely known for my athleticism. (At the Draft Combine) I just went and did my best and I actually shocked myself, I was very surprised. The athleticism side of any sport I’ve always loved. I went from netball then transferred all my athletic skills (to football).”