Port Adelaide coach Lauren Arnell has praised North Melbourne Tasmania as one of the top teams in the AFLW competition ahead of the teams’ meeting in Melbourne on Friday evening.
Arnell’s side could move into the top eight with a win over the Kangaroos at Mission Whitten Oval.
It will be the start of a stretch of four games in 16 days, including three away from Alberton.
Speaking before the side’s departure to Melbourne, Arnell discussed her feelings on the congested mid-season fixture, the review of the loss to Fremantle last week, and Justine Mules-Robinson’s leadership after her first game as captain.
Lauren Arnell on the review of the loss to Fremantle:
“(It was) frustrating, obviously. We went minus 10 contested possession the last quarter and didn't use the wind when we had it. (it was) a little bit around maintaining predictability for each other offensively and then contest, which we know is crucial in any game of footy.
“One thing we addressed Monday in game review is the age profile and experience of how we manage those moments when you know we're right in it and there's a level of physicality that needs to get done in the last quarter. One thing of note for our group is that we had 11 18- to 21-year-olds playing against Fremantle, and they had none. All of their group playing on the weekend were 22 and above, and a big chunk of them like that next layer of 26 plus. So, it's a bit of experience. As long as you take the right attitude to learn the right lessons in the right way, I think we're going okay.”
Lauren Arnell on facing the unbeaten Kangaroos on Friday night:
“We're really looking forward to playing North Melbourne tomorrow in Melbourne. Last year we played them, we were significantly less fit, and we were up at half time, from memory, so I think their brand of footy is an exceptional brand, and something, if you watch closely, you'd see us working towards as a team as well. We are rapt to be taking on one of the top teams in the comp tomorrow night.”
Lauren Arnell on the congested AFLW mid-season fixture:
“I'm looking forward to it. I think it's three games in nine and four games in 16 days starting tomorrow. The reality is, everyone's doing it, and so three of our four games are on the road, one here at Alberton. I think there's just lots of opportunities for us to continue to grow up as a group and test the progress that we have made.”
Lauren Arnell on Justin Mules-Robinson’s first game as skipper in the absence of injured captain Janelle Cuthbertson:
“Juzzy plays this small forward, selfless role on and off field she's selfless. She’s the definition of hard working. And you know, there was a moment I raised this with the group in review on Monday as part of learning how to be a really strong team is, you know, sometimes you’ve got to put others in the team ahead of yourself. There was a key moment late in the game where Abbey Dowrick is coming off to the bench with a few minutes to go, and we needed metres generated from our midfield, and Juzzy had to stay on the bench as skipper. And you know, the maturity and the way that she went about that as team first is a big lesson for a lot of our group. She's obviously a really strong leader, and someone our group really looks up to off field as well.”
Lauren Arnell on the feeling around Alberton ahead of the AFL preliminary final in Sydney:
“It is exciting. It’s interesting that both teams are playing away at similar times. We're traveling, and the boys are traveling too for their prelim. But there's a bit of a function on at the Precinct tomorrow night for all the Port Adelaide faithful that don't get to travel. They’re able to come down to the Precinct from 4:30pm tomorrow and watch our game and then into the men's prelim. It’s pretty exciting for our supporters - back-to-back footy.”
