AFLW AFLW - Port Adelaide vs Crows - Trial Match 1 @ Alberton

[afl2004]

Let's go girls , true port adelaide spirit unlike the blokes

 

[afl2004]

Still no result update from our aflw account, very poor

 

[Coobk001]

Its only a trial game, but thats a fantastic result. Definitely a statement that we're here and a real competitor now.

Hard to know how we'll go after last year. We definitely overachieved last year, but if we can keep the momentum rolling, find another couple contributors and stay fit who knows. Young and Tahau, will be huge ins without considering the draftees.

 

[PowerLil]

I'm sure if you dig hard enough, you'll find an article or press conference about Ken Hinkley being a mentor to Arnell, or giving her some pointers or something.

Watch Lauren's press conference and you'll quickly be dispelled of that notion.

 

[RossFC]

Was this our first ever win vs the crows or have we won a trial vs them before?

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Was this our first ever win vs the crows or have we won a trial vs them before?

I believe it's our first win over them. They've beaten us fairly comfortably the other times. Last year we were competitive for a half or so in the trial game and fell away (lost by 4 goals), then lost by 14 points in the league match. But the margins are getting closer as we get match fitness with more pre-seasons.

Genuine step forward.

 

[Traveling_Power]

Crows will be dreading the day Chelsea Randall retires. She is a star.

the same with their coach - Clarke

 

[Scholz Supremacy]

Merrett: “We had a focus on communication and connection”

Port Adelaide secured a tight two-point victory in Saturday morning's practice match against Adelaide.

www.portadelaidefc.com.au

Port Adelaide assistant coach Dan Merrett says the team showed encouraging signs during their first practice match against Adelaide at Alberton Oval.

The Power secured a narrow two-point win in a tightly contested game, and while acknowledging there is still work to do ahead of Round 1, Merrett was pleased with the group’s ability to execute under pressure and compete against a quality Crows outfit.

Speaking to portadelaidefc.com.au after the match, Merrett shared key insights from the first hit-out of the season and reflected on the performances of both new and experienced players.

Merrett on key insights from the practice match:

“We had a focus on getting our communication and connection right as a group, and I thought we did that well today. We also made sure we were getting our structures in place - and getting them in place quickly under fatigue. I thought our ability to move the ball has improved over the pre-season, so it was good to see that in play today against a quality opposition in the Crows. We’ve been focused on closing the gap between us and the top sides in the competition, and while we showed positive signs of being on the right track, we also identified key areas that we will review and keeping working on ahead of Round 1.”


Merrett on implementing an offensive game style:

“It was a bit blustery and wet underfoot, which are obviously challenging conditions, but I thought we were able to effectively implement some of our ball movement and game style. There’s definitely room for improvement in some areas, which we’ll review and then refine in training, but we hit the scoreboard with a couple of nice plays today, and I thought our forwards competed well. Generally, the Crows have spare players in the backline, but our ability to bring the ball to ground was something I loved seeing - it stopped them from getting their intercept game going, so our forwards did well in that respect. As coaches, we saw some of the strategies and game plays we’ve been working on over the pre-season, which was really pleasing, as well as identifying key areas we want to improve, which is what you want out of a practice match.”

Merrett on the performance of new draftees and recruit Ella Heads:

“I thought they all competed well and showed why we picked them up in the draft and trade period. Jasmine Sowden was probably a standout today - she’s a clever footballer, very clean around the contest, and made good decisions. Chloe Gaunt did some strong ruck work and competed up forward, bringing the ball to ground, which was great. Ella Heads has been a great asset and has made a significant contribution to our backline. Lily Paterson showed today that she’s ready to compete at AFLW level - she’s a quality inclusion to the side, while Coby Morgan was impressive after only being in the team for four days and having just a couple of training sessions under her belt. She played on the wing, which can be quite difficult, but I thought structurally she did well. We’ll sit down with her during the week and look at her running patterns and structures, but she played her role today.”


Merrett on the performance of Justine Mules-Robinson, Ash Woodland, Gemma Houghton and Shineah Goody

“They are so important. Justine’s (Mules-Robinson) energy was amazing today, and Gemma (Houghton) was strong in the forward line - she plays her best footy when she’s moving around and coming at the ball which we saw her do a bit today. Ash (Woodland) is playing a dual role in the midfield and forward line and is such an important player, especially when it comes to setting up our structures, and Goody’s (Shineah Goody) work rate was off the charts.”

Merrett on Tahau’s return from a serious knee injury

“She’s been out for a significant amount of time, so it was great to see her out there today. She reminded us how talented she is - it’s great to have her back in our team.”

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Saw a couple of highlights on the news. Hannah Ewings' fitness hasn't improved, probably gone the other way. Hope everything is good with her.

 

[all seeing eye]

Saw a couple of highlights on the news. Hannah Ewings' fitness hasn't improved, probably gone the other way. Hope everything is good with her.

Female Rioli.

 

[EskimoPAFC]

Absolutely bloody brilliant! Carn the girls!

Hope we can see a replay of this. If we can build in to this season you feel like we could be a real problem

 

[Janey]

Absolutely bloody brilliant! Carn the girls!

Hope we can see a replay of this. If we can build in to this season you feel like we could be a real problem

Does anyone know if there is likely to be a replay on somewhere?

 

[StuMan]

This team is definitely the only thing I currently enjoy about Port.
Love 'em.

 

[MP_]

Saw a couple of highlights on the news. Hannah Ewings' fitness hasn't improved, probably gone the other way. Hope everything is good with her.

Yeah I saw a small clip on the tv and she didn’t look like the player at port. Did she actually play on the weekend?

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Yeah I saw a small clip on the tv and she didn’t look like the player at port. Did she actually play on the weekend?

I didn't see the game but she appeared on the video on the news of the match. I assume she played.