PORT ADELAIDE recorded its third consecutive win for the first time in its short AFLW history on Thursday night, in front of a 2500-strong crowd at Alberton Oval.
In a gritty game, flashes of team and individual brilliance got the Power over the line (4.9.33) on its home deck against Collingwood (3.7.25), celebrating AFLW Pride Round in style.
“It certainly felt like a gritty win, that's probably the best way I can describe it at this point,” senior coach Lauren Arnell reflected following the game.
“Really pleased with our midfield and the way they were able to stick it out and reset at half time. It probably felt like Collingwood had the ascendancy at half time, they were up on the scoreboard, so for our mids to grind it out when it was an overly contested game of footy (was good).
“Speaking to the coaches post-game as well, just the way we went about it…there's been other games, probably the Freo game in Round 3 we lost here…we gave ourselves opportunities throughout that game and didn’t take them. Those gritty styles of game we probably haven't won in the past so to get the win tonight and make that three in a row is really pleasing.”
Certain goal and mark of the year contenders from Gemma Houghton and Matilda Scholz respectively had the raucous crowd on its feet, while a clearance-fest from Scholz (15 disposals, nine clearances, one goal) and Abbey Dowrick (21 disposals, nine clearances) got Port Adelaide on top early.
“I think certainly the last three or four weeks of footy Matilda Scholz has really come on,” Arnell said.
“She's still super young, she only just came into our side last year as a very fresh-faced teenager. The more she learns each week around preparation and diligence and how she prepares for each game, has been really impressive, so I’m really pleased with her progress. I loved seeing her take that grab and more so finishing with the goal after. It's a small sign of what Matilda's capable of.”
Now holding a 4-4 record, Arnell insists the group isn’t considering the possibility of an appearance in mid-November just yet, but rather the focus must be on what is immediately in front of them.
“The competition shows it's super close at the moment,” Arnell said.
“Right now, to see some of the things we’ve been working on over a long period of time unlock, you have to remain focused on our style of footy and the game that's in front of us, quite honestly. That's the most important thing for us right now.
“How we measure growth this year does have a little bit to do with wins so that's nice to have three in a row now, but ultimately the growth that we have in each opportunity we have to play – and in 11 games there's not many opportunities – we do truly have to focus on each game that's in front of us.”
The youngest of Port Adelaide’s playing group have continued to show why the side is on the up, with first year rising stars Molly Brooksby (17 disposals, three marks) and Shineah Goody (15 disposals, four tackles) improving each week, while third-year players Ella Boag (13 disposals, three marks) and Sachi Syme (11 disposals, three clearances) are noticeably maturing in their composure and decision-making.
Thursday night’s win was particularly special for Arnell, given it was the side’s fifth game in just under three weeks.
“The fixture has been challenging for everybody and we went into that space well planned,” she said.
“I just looked at the calendar and our first game of five was September 20 and it's currently October 10. Five games of footy, the first two we lost to Richmond and North who we believe will go deep into finals this year, three in a row and a fair bit of travel, it's been really pleasing for our group.
“Again, it's really about the process and that's what we need to focus on.”
The only sour note for the Power was a knee injury to forward Julia Teakle, with early signs looking positive.
“Teaks obviously couldn’t get back out there,” Arnell said.
“I think she's jarred her knee, we're hopeful that she's okay, she'll have a scan tomorrow.”
Port Adelaide will host St Kilda at Alberton Oval on Friday, November 18.
