PORT ADELAIDE has taken out the inaugural senior women’s Showdown match between the Power and Crows.
The first Statewide Super Women’s Exhibition match was played at City Mazda Stadium on Saturday with the team representing the Power running out three-point victors.
The two teams were selected under the same SANFL alignments as the Next Generation Academies currently in operation at SA’s two AFL clubs.
Sturt, North Adelaide, Glenelg and Central District prospects lined up for Adelaide while West Adelaide, South Adelaide, Norwood and Eagles hopefuls were chosen for Port Adelaide.
The Port Adelaide team only had two training sessions together before the game and will be better for the run ahead of a second meeting next month.
The Power, under coach Naomi Maidment, started the game well, kicking the first goal of the match through Teah Charlton but led by just one point at the first break.
Trailing at five-points at three-quarter-time despite dominating possession and inside 50s, Maidment’s side eventually overran the Adelaide side.
A Monique Hollick goal late in the fourth term put Port Adelaide in front and it held on for a three-point win.
“Having had only two sessions together before the first game, we knew it would be important to establish a system and get on the same page as quickly as possible,” she told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“Through the first half I though we struggled to find targets and used the ball too much by hand despite having more possession.
“After half time we started to show more of our game plan come to fruition.”
Maidment was particularly impressed with the efforts of Hannah Dunn, who won plenty of the ball, and Charlton, who booted three goals.
“As the game went on our disposal efficiency improved and we were able to show case our skills and speed,” Maidment said.
“We now look forward to a five-week program before the second exhibition game at Alberton on 21 July before the Port and Glenelg SANFL fixture.”
SCOREBOARD
Port Adelaide 4.8.32
Adelaide 4.5.29
Goals: T.Charlton 3, M.Hollick 1
Best: T.Charlton, R.Martin, H.Dunn, N.Campbell, M.McKinnon, M.Newman
