The three-period clash marked the final practice match of Port Adelaide’s pre-season. Image: Liam Burtenshaw.<\/p>\n
Port Adelaide has completed its final hit-out of the pre-season, with senior coach Glenn Strachan pleased by the continued progress his side has made ahead of its Round 1 clash against Fremantle on August 16.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The three-period hit-out marked the fourth and final practice game of the pre-season, with the Power using the opportunity to continue building continuity while carefully managing player loads.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Several senior players were rested as part of the club’s pre-season plan, creating an opportunity for five train-on players to experience the elite level, with Strachan and his coaching group pleased with what they were able to achieve.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I’m pleased with what we got out of it. We went into the game thinking about progress over perfection and felt like we made some more progress.”<\/p>\n
He was equally encouraged by the contribution of the train-on players throughout the session.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“They’re all fantastic, and we love having them at training. I just love the opportunity that games like this have created for some of those players. I thought they all had brilliant moments throughout the game, which was\u00a0really cool.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“And the best thing is that they just fit into our group so seamlessly – they’re definitely an extension of our playing group.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Port Adelaide opened the scoring through Chloe Gaunt, who rotated through the ruck alongside Grace Parsons before finishing with the side’s first major.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Behind the ball, Amelie Borg made an immediate impact with several strong defensive contests in the opening period, while Teagan\u00a0Germech\u00a0and Maria Moloney combined for repeat pressure acts that forced turnovers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While the side was unable to fully capitalise on the scoring opportunities it created, its defensive resilience was a standout as the backline absorbed repeat inside 50 entries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Germech’s\u00a0performance again caught the eye, continuing an impressive month of football heading into Round 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Defender Teagan Germech has continued her strong patch of form heading into Round 1. Image: Liam Burtenshaw.<\/p>\n
“She’s obviously a physical weapon, but I think she’s dialled into some parts of her game that she’s really strong at and has gone to work even harder on those things, and I reckon it’s showing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“She still works on the things that she feels like she’s not as competent with, but she’s had a great four weeks of well-rounded performances across the games that she played.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Port Adelaide’s momentum continued through the second period, with a clean passage of play involving Ebony O’Dea, Shineah Goody, Jasmine Evans and Jasmine Sowden through the corridor a highlight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
O’Dea’s intercept marking continued to provide an important launchpad from defence, while Goody continued her steady return to match minutes, once again displaying the work rate and intensity that has become a hallmark of her game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“She’s building really well. Her timeline and her plan have obviously been tailored to getting her to the early part of the season, and that’s paying off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“She’s just executed it so well. She puts in the time and effort, and now that she’s back playing, she’s able to take all the learnings from when she wasn’t into these games. It’s been good to have her back out there.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Port Adelaide finished the session strongly, with sustained defensive pressure allowing the side to generate consistent forward momentum throughout the final period.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A strong passage of play from the forwards resulted in a Jasmine Sowden major before Gemma Houghton was rewarded with a goal of her own.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Draftee Sophie Eaton again showcased her development after an impressive first pre-season at Alberton, while the side’s defensive unit continued to repel opposition attacks and transition the ball with confidence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Strachan praised the balance his defenders have developed throughout the pre-season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“They’re such a great unit. They complement each other so well. We’ve got a nice balance of contest and offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I feel like when they execute things well, it just helps so much because they repel so many scores\u00a0against, but\u00a0also set up a lot of offence.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
The coach also highlighted the leadership shown by co-vice-captains Sachi Syme and Amelie Borg throughout the pre-season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I think she’s the most mature 21-year-old that I’ve seen in a long time, or equal with her other co-vice-captain in Amelie.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I think they’re both great leaders in different ways, but also in the same way, in that they lead from the front and lead by example. I love that they both play behind the ball more often than not because that sets it up.”<\/p>\n
Senior coach Glenn Strachan has praised the maturity of co-vice-captains Sachi Syme and Amelie Borg. Image: Liam Burtenshaw.<\/p>\n
With four match simulations now complete against quality opposition, Strachan believes the expanded pre-season schedule has given his group an ideal platform heading into the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I really liked the opportunity where we could see so many different things from different players.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I felt like we were able to build some continuity, and I like that players who may be going into Round 1 unsure about selection, or maybe not getting selected, have had a great hit-out and have been able to play in some really good games.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We played against four really strong opponents, three that played finals last year, and one that finished on similar points to us. It was really beneficial for our group.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
The side will now shift its focus to recovery before fine-tuning preparations for its season opener in Perth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We will focus on a little bit of rest and recovery, and obviously just making sure that we’re primed for that big game against Fremantle in Round 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We’ll get a little bit more work in on the track and a little more education – that won’t stop.”\u00a0<\/p>\n