Port Adelaide assistant coach Dan Merrett says the club has earned the right to play finals, off the back of a thrilling one-point win at Alberton Oval on Sunday. 

The team finished the home-and-away season with seven wins and four losses, showing vast improvement on the previous two years. 

Merrett spoke with the Adelaide media on Monday, speaking on Gemma Houghton’s match-winning goal, the maturity of the group and which injured players may be available for finals.  

Merrett on Sunday’s thrilling one-point win 
“Yeah absolutely (it was exciting). Particularly being at home in front of the home crowd, our second biggest crowd of the year. I kind of feel like we stole it a little bit yesterday. GWS had our number most of the day. But yeah, the character of the group to be able to finish the game off and then Gemma to have that clutch shot and win the game was super exciting. And just feels like probably we've got a bit of momentum at the moment, and we're just going to keep riding it.” 

Merrett on the message at the final break 
“It was funny, because I was probably stressing out a little bit looking at the numbers, but then the players were like, ‘oh, really, are they the numbers? It feels like we're not going too bad.’ But when I saw them at three quarter time, the energy was good. And I think having won the previous five there's just some real confidence growing about the group that they can finish off games. So, yeah, they were great at three quarter time. And they left it to the last minute to get it done.”  

Merrett on Gemma Houghton’s match-winning goal 
“Well, firstly, it was an amazing grab, and then watching her run in, that’s probably an education piece for our girls too, but there was so much space on her right foot, like there was no one really cramping her if she came off her line. So yeah, we were sitting right behind her and it was so good to see her finish like that. And yeah, it just shows Gemma's maturity as well, to be able to, with all that pressure on her, be able to finish.” 

Merrett on the maturity of the group 
“So probably the last couple of weeks, we played the Suns last week and their pressure was amazing, then this week, Giants again, their pressure was amazing, which we're going to see in finals. So it's been great preparation for finals, and yet, probably maturity of the group, to have that pressure coming at you, in your face the whole game, be behind, and just still find a way, and keep chipping away. And then having that confidence that you know what, we've done the work in the pre-season with our fitness, we can run this game out, and just keep attacking, and get the job done.” 

Merrett on the growth over the last three seasons  
“Yeah, not being here (the previous seasons), this is my first year, but I know since I've been here, the work they've put in, they've earned the right to be in finals. And then I think it's just a natural progression of that maturity and education we've done during the year for the girls, like late in games, what are we trying to do? If we're behind, what are we trying to do? And for them to be able to get it done out there when the pressure is on was very, very pleasing.” 

Merrett on Matilda Scholz, Abbey Dowrick and Julia Teakle’s availability for finals 
“Yeah, we're hopeful (Scholz and Dowrick) will be right to go. So, yeah, it was a bit of a shame not having them out there yesterday. They could have helped a lot, but again, great maturity for the group, to not have the two big dogs out there, and being still able to get the win. Yeah, it was super. On medical advice, they've got a little bit going on, (we were told) it was probably best that they not play last weekend, but we're hopeful they'll be back this weekend. Teaks has been training the last couple of weeks, and, yeah, we'll just see how she goes this week. Again, we're hopeful to have her out there, because she's pretty important to our team. 

“Definitely (three good inclusions for next week). And then (with that), comes the heartbreak of, someone's got to miss out. So yeah, it'll be definitely a tough call, but we definitely will welcome all three back (if they’re fit).” 

Merrett on hosting a home final 
“Yeah, it’s huge. Like, I think it's huge just to play finals for this group, and then, it's funny how things work out, and a few things go your way, and to get the home final in front of our people. And it just shows yesterday, I think, late in the game, just how loud the crowd got. I know the GWS coach actually mentioned in his press conference that just having that crowd behind you as a home team really got us going and kept our energy up. When you're an away team and the crowd’s against you and the opposition are coming at you, it definitely makes a difference.” 

Merrett on expectations for finals  
“I suppose now we can actually talk about being in finals, because in the past, you probably don't like to too much. No doubt we've earned the right to be here, so we've got the wins on the board. And it's a good feeling, but the job’s not done. So yeah, we hope to go a little bit further. I think the best thing about finals is there's no tomorrow, so you just leave everything out there, and give it your all. And I think you just can't think too far ahead. So that's exciting about finals.”