Former triathlete Jo Miller made her AFLW debut over the weekend against the Gold Coast, stating she couldn’t be prouder of where the team is at, and where they are heading. 

After mostly training as an inside mid, Miller was moved forward on Saturday and made an instant impact, kicking two goals. 

The 25-year-old spoke to the Adelaide media on Thursday about her dream debut in her home state, the journey to the AFLW, and the excitement of playing in front of the Alberton crowd. 

Miller on her AFLW debut 
“I was actually a lot more nervous before the game on Saturday than I typically am for games. Obviously, it's one thing to debut in AFLW, but to be able to do it in my home state in front of family and friends, it was just unbelievable. And to also do it with Hammo on her 50th and Lamby on her 75th and then obviously Indigenous Round wearing Jazzy Stewart's guernsey that she designed, it was an amazing day. But obviously, the nerves were flowing, but it was an exciting one, that's for sure. (At the game were my) parents, siblings, their partners, some old teammates from when I played up in Queensland, and just a lot of people that I actually hadn't seen for a while. So yeah, the support was overwhelming. And yeah, just really grateful to have been able to play that day. 

“I've very much enjoyed it. You never know what's going to happen over the next few weeks. We obviously have to field the best team on the day, and whether that's me or not, I'll, be okay with that, but yeah, certainly enjoyed playing in the forward line and in the midfield. But you know, I definitely have to develop a lot more. Playing at the highest level is somewhat scary. But I obviously want to be the best, and to be the best, I have to play against the best. I certainly hit the ground running on Monday, and you know, going forward, to just continue to develop myself. But yeah, I know whatever team has put on the field this weekend and going forward, I know that they're going to play their role and be influential in the success of our team.” 

Miller on her journey to AFLW 
“So I obviously started out as a triathlete, and then good old COVID hit, and then decided, you know, hey, maybe I should hang up the tri suit and finish off my degree, and then my brother actually plays footy up in Queensland, and he said one day, why don't you just come down, there's a team starting up. So I kind of just said, yeah, okay, take me down there. And then, yeah, the rest is kind of history. It's been an amazing journey so far. And I'm just really grateful for everyone that's been involved along the way. I wouldn't be here without those supporters. So, yeah, obviously, started out in Queensland and then went up to Darwin, did a season up there, which I couldn't recommend more for people just go do that, get up there with your friends and have a bit of fun, and then ended up down here to pursue the dream of making the AFLW and yeah, here I am. And it was definitely surprising to first be put on the Port Adelaide list, and then to even debut. That was another thing in itself.” 

Miller on kicking her first goal 
“Well, the first emotion was pure shock, because I'm not a goal kicker. Yeah, track record says that I shouldn't be getting the ball through the big sticks. But no, it was an amazing moment. And, yeah, I obviously spend a lot of time, typically as an inside mid and going into the forward line was something new for me. And I think on Saturday, we really showed our maturity, especially in that forward line for those girls with a lot more experience than me, to not only play their role, but to then realise that they have someone who's not as experienced and to guide me whenever I was down the forward line. I kind of have to give them credit for definitely that first goal, because I would not have been standing in that spot to take the mark if it wasn't for them pushing me over that way.  And then just for everyone to get around me, it was really special. And that's the amazing thing about our team. We really support each other and get around each other for any milestone or little achievement. So yeah, it's a truly special team, and they made that moment even more special for me.” 

Miller on coming into the team during a winning streak 
“I certainly wasn't expecting to come into the team and obviously very grateful for the opportunity. But yeah, this is a history-making season for us, and I think the great thing about this team is that they're very humble and very modest, so we obviously love to see the success, and we want to go as deep into finals as possible. But if there's one thing that Loz has taught us along the way, it's to just focus on each week. She obviously loves us to celebrate each win. And you know, we've obviously ecstatic when we got two in a row, now up to five in a row. Yeah, we obviously celebrated on the weekend. But by Monday, we're deep into recovery, we've reviewed the game and doing our homework on the next week.” 

Miller on approaching finals  
“I think it'd be silly not to say that we want to go as deep into finals as possible. But I think our success so far has been due to our ability to quite literally focus week to week. And yeah, like I said, we're a very modest and humble team, and our heads very much fit through the doorway still, because we're very grounded. So yeah, we want to get as far as possible. And like I said, it's a history-making season so far, and I think it's a reward for our team for the hard work they've put in so far. And I know I lucked out and didn't have to really do the pre-season, but I'm very much aware of the blood, sweat and tears that went into it, and, yeah, I couldn't be prouder of where our team's at and where we're heading to, not just this season, but for seasons to come.” 

Miller on who she learns from in the forwards group  
“Gem (Houghton) was pretty good, she's someone I lean on off the field as well. But besides that, they were all pretty good. Ash (Saint) had a chat to me beforehand, kind of just to calm the nerves. Everyone in the team was really supportive leading up to the to the game, and even throughout the game, they were just yeah in my ear with encouragement. And it was just really great.” 

Miller on the excitement of playing in front of a home crowd 
“Very excited. Yeah, it'll be great to have our Port members and supporters down this weekend. Obviously, Sunday afternoon. I've checked the weather, it's going to be sunny. So it will be really great. No place better place to be on a Sunday afternoon going up against the orange team, GWS, so it’s bound to be a good one. We really thrive off the crowd. When they're cheering, it just lights something within us. I know I can speak on behalf of the girls when I say that we're very excited to get out there.”