The first AFLW showdown on September 30 is set to rock round six of the competition, giving South Australians something to look forward to while the AFL grand final goes on without the SA teams. (Image via Port Adelaide Football Club)
By Juliette Aubert | @AubJuliette
As the season ends for South Australia’s AFL teams, the AFLW is launching into competition, with all 18 teams featured for the first time.
In round two, Port Power’s inaugural AFLW team is set to take on the Western Bulldogs at Alberton Oval, and the unstoppable Adelaide Crows gear up to play the Richmond Tigers at Swinburne Centre.
With all eyes on the Power’s debut season, Port Adelaide AFLW coach Lauren Arnell says 16 out of 30 players on the team have never played in the women’s league.
“We’ve got a fantastic group of players. We’ve got a big group who have never played AFLW football before, but we feel really confident in our preparation and we feel ready,” Arnell said.
“There’s a question between how much preparation you can do versus how ready do you feel.
“I feel confident that our players feel ready and myself, I feel confident too.”
Meanwhile the Crows will be looking to bounce back in round two after their loss against premiership rivals, Melbourne, who got their revenge on Adelaide in the first round.
Three-time premiership Crows skipper Chelsea Randall says the competition will be the toughest yet.
“We’ve got four [new] clubs coming into this season and that adds a little bit of spice,” Randall said.
“It’s the unknown of what they might bring and how their teams will work with one another.
“That’s what’s awesome about the AFLW – we are getting faster; we are getting fitter; we are getting stronger; we are getting more skilful and the game’s changed significantly from 2017.”
Port Adelaide have had to wait seven seasons before joining the competition, and for PAFC AFLW member, Alyce Johnson, becoming a member of the new team was a no brainer.
“I’ve been a Port Adelaide member since 2001 and following AFLW since the beginning so [I’m] excited to finally have a Port Adelaide women’s team at the highest level to support,” Johnson said.
“[I look forward to watching] Gemma Houghton … I didn’t know she was a Port supporter, so I was completely surprised and delighted when it was announced she was moving across from Fremantle [to Port Adelaide] because she’s an absolute star.”
Rachel McDonald from Port fan club, The Alberton Crowd, says AFLW is an exciting new competition, home to many footballers who are part of the LGBTQI+ community, which brings a fresh energy about the sport.
“It [AFLW] is an amazing mix of old and new, returning to that smaller community feel with most games played at the club heartland and suburban grounds,” McDonald said.
“Players make great sacrifices on relatively small budgets to play the game they love.
“It’s so new, every season comes with an overwhelming sense of optimism whether your team is winning or barely kicking a goal each week.”
The first-ever AFLW showdown will be a must-watch on Friday, September 30 with the Power and Crows battling it out in front of their home crowds.
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