PORT ADELAIDE has had a solid first AFLW pre-season hit-out, coming up against the Adelaide Crows in Port Augusta on Sunday.

Across a competitive four-quarter match simulation on a sunny winter’s day at Central Oval, a dominant second term and two late last quarter goals saw the Crows come out on top by 24 points.

While her side did not get the result, Power assistant coach Sam Virgo said there were pleasing signs.

“Our message to the players was not to worry about the scoreboard and to try and implement the things we’ve been working on in pre-season, particularly our contest,” said Virgo after the game.

“From a coaching point of view, we’re really pleased with how (the side) attacked the contest throughout the game.”

Port Adelaide faced Adelaide in its first pre-season hit-out in Port Augusta. Image: Brooke Bowering.

After a relatively even first quarter in which it trailed by just two points, Port conceded four goals to one in the defining second period.

It was a tighter third stanza with new vice-captain Justine Mules-Robinson – skippering the side in the absence of injured captain Janelle Cuthbertson (finger) - booting the only goal to bring the margin back to 15 points at the final change.

With forward Ash Saint and ruck Matilda Scholz given an early shower at half time, Jas Stewart was brought into the action after sitting out the first two periods, and she made an impact through the midfield.

After some strong work by Gemma Houghton inside forward 50, Stewart snapped home a goal to bring the margin back to just seven points with time ticking away in the last quarter.

Teagan Germech takes a kick during the match simulation against the Crows. Image: Brooke Bowering.

But the Crows finished the stronger and peppered the goals, including two late majors to finish in front 8.10 (58) to 5.4 (34) when the final siren rang out.

Seven of Port Adelaide’s eight new recruits saw game time with first-year players Shineah Goody, Molly Brooksby, Piper Window and Alissa Brook impressing in their first hit-out against AFLW opposition.

“The best part of pre-season is the end of it so it’s great that those players can get a taste of AFLW level against some really experienced opposition so we’re really happy with how those draftees went and just generally the team did everything we asked them to do,” said Virgo.

“We tried to get what we needed to our of certain players and had some plans going in, and they all went to plan today so we’re happy with that.

“We (also) got a good look at how the Crows want to play ahead of coming up against them again in Round one in a few weeks.”

Shineah Goody in action during her first game in Port Adelaide colours. Image: Brooke Bowering.

Regulars Cuthbertson, Ange Foley, Abbey Dowrick and Julia Teakle were among those who did not play with Dowrick and Teakle a chance to return from injury in the pre-season game against Melbourne at Alberton Oval next Sunday.

That game gets underway at 11am and entry is free, though it will also be live streamed on the club website.

Port Adelaide will then face Adelaide to open its 2024 AFLW season at Alberton on Saturday, 31 August.

Tickets are available here.

 

SCOREBOARD

Port Adelaide    2.1       3.2       4.2       5.4 (34)

Adelaide           2.3       6.3       6.5       8.10 (58)

Goals: Moloney, Houghton, Goody, Mules-Robinson, Stewart