The Challenge is to Turn Up and Show it on Gameday
After taking “confidence” out of the AFLW Showdown, Port Adelaide will now focus on a massive clash against the Western Bulldogs. Round 2 of Port Adelaide’s season will be at the MCG, as the curtain raiser to the AFL’s Elimination Final between the Dogs and the Hawks.
On Friday, Port will have real pressure on them externally for the first time this season. After the Dogs were demolished by GWS in Round 1 (10.12.72 to 1.3.9), the Power are now heavy favourites and many supporters will expect a win.
However, Port coach Lauren Arnell believes the pressure on her side internally is around consistently and growth, not about the final result;
“The pressure on our group at the moment is to be consistent in how we turn up,” Arnell said.
“The maturity and the elements of the game that I’ve been talking about, I trust our players and our whole group has grown.
“It’s about executing the style of play that we’d like to and so, pending weather conditions, it should look different to what we tried to execute in the Showdown.”
Port pride themselves on their contest work and it is something they’ve worked on across the off-season. Against the Crows, they lost the contested possession by one (109-110).
“I think elements of the game that we’ve worked on growing are coming together, the next piece is finding maturity in that and there’s an opportunity to show a bit more in the contest.
“There’s some obvious maturity in the group and I’ve been pumping up the fitness levels and telling to look forward to that and you would have seen it. I’m pleased with that. The contest element was good as well.”
The Power and the Dogs will be the third AFLW game ever played on the MCG, with Arnell not hiding any of the excitement ahead of gracing the hallowed turf;
“Our group is so excited, I’m excited.
“A number of us older girls have had the opportunity to play there a few times back in the day, when it was just pockets of exhibition games.
“To have an AFLW match at the ground, and to have us involved before an AFL final, it’s so exciting.”
Kirsty Lamb is going up against her old side this week. However, Arnell doesn’t expect anything different from the premiership player;
“It’ll be big for her, but she gets up for every game of footy she plays, so I think it won’t be anything new,” Arnell said.
The game begins at 4pm ACST tonight. You can watch all the action from the MCG on 7mate, Kayo or Foxtel.