PAFC 2025

[Booney]

JHF had surgery last night I'm told. Season over.

[Lightning McQueen]

Kane on his early weekly wrap, "Cant see Port improving under Carr"

Statement would have nothing to do with his brother getting th DCM

Hope he's right

Don’t we all

Stop it, I do not like it!

[bertiebeatle1]

I think that was the original point, maybe LM can clarify … letting players ‘get away’ with avoiding standards if they take the easy option and the relaxing of standards is only optional for faves.

I don't think it's about relaxing standards, he has always had a bit of a 'gut' on him. Weights listed that i can find are all similar every year (could be heavier at the moment, but obviously not going to have his current weight released to the public). Setting a very dangerous precedent if you are dropping him for being out of condition when a quick google search can see his whole career he has had a similar frame.

Things that didn’t age well - conflicting reports though. Saying he’s injured but playing SANFL to find form

[Booney]

Players at all clubs have injuries that they can get through games with but limit their training ( Wines is doing so at the moment ), if Rioli is fit to play then he's been dropped on form and rightly so. If he's not fit to play then rest him until he is.

[The Bedge]

Where to for Port for rest of the season? Put the cue in the rack and get games into the kids - see what they're like?

[Booney]

Where to for Port for rest of the season? Put the cue in the rack and get games into the kids - see what they're like?

Not many left to try out.

JHF, Rozee and Rioli out this week.

I'd say Lorenz comes off the sub bench into the side, Williams kicked 7 in the SANFL so logic would have him in for Rioli and I'd think Moraes or Mead comes into the midfield. Might give Lai or Berry the sub vest.

[The Bedge]

Where to for Port for rest of the season? Put the cue in the rack and get games into the kids - see what they're like?

Not many left to try out.

JHF, Rozee and Rioli out this week.

I'd say Lorenz comes off the sub bench into the side, Williams kicked 7 in the SANFL so logic would have him in for Rioli and I'd think Moraes or Mead comes into the midfield. Might give Lai or Berry the sub vest.

Worth giving them an extended run though?

[wenchbarwer]

Where to for Port for rest of the season? Put the cue in the rack and get games into the kids - see what they're like?

Not many left to try out.

JHF, Rozee and Rioli out this week.

I'd say Lorenz comes off the sub bench into the side, Williams kicked 7 in the SANFL so logic would have him in for Rioli and I'd think Moraes or Mead comes into the midfield. Might give Lai or Berry the sub vest.

I said it earlier in the year and still stand by it, Mead isn't your answer. You've seen enough by now, he's 24 this year.
Season is over, see if one of the real young kids can play instead.

[Lightning McQueen]

Where to for Port for rest of the season? Put the cue in the rack and get games into the kids - see what they're like?

Not many left to try out.

JHF, Rozee and Rioli out this week.

I'd say Lorenz comes off the sub bench into the side, Williams kicked 7 in the SANFL so logic would have him in for Rioli and I'd think Moraes or Mead comes into the midfield. Might give Lai or Berry the sub vest.

Worth giving them an extended run though?

Absolutely IMO, even IMHO.

[Brodlach]

Sometimes playing kids just for the sake of it is a detriment to their development. If you’re not ready don’t play them

[The Bedge]

Sometimes playing kids just for the sake of it is a detriment to their development. If you’re not ready don’t play them

True, but over the years it's felt like Port have had a very consistent, stable team - limited opportunities for the younger / fringe players.

Morales, Lord, Berry, Williams, Cochrane - i've liked bits of their games, i'm eager to see extended opportinuity.

Anastasopoulos has been close for a while hasn't he? Where's he at?

[Jimmy_041]

Players at all clubs have injuries that they can get through games with but limit their training ( Wines is doing so at the moment ), if Rioli is fit to play then he's been dropped on form and rightly so. If he's not fit to play then rest him until he is.

Rioli has obviously got other "issues" he (& probably the club) is dealing with.
He has been uninterested in the past month and giving away pretty simple free kicks for rule breaches that he should know
I reckon the club have to be careful how they handle him or he'll just walk away

[bertiebeatle1]

Where to for Port for rest of the season? Put the cue in the rack and get games into the kids - see what they're like?

Not many left to try out.

JHF, Rozee and Rioli out this week.

I'd say Lorenz comes off the sub bench into the side, Williams kicked 7 in the SANFL so logic would have him in for Rioli and I'd think Moraes or Mead comes into the midfield. Might give Lai or Berry the sub vest.

I said it earlier in the year and still stand by it, Mead isn't your answer. You've seen enough by now, he's 24 this year.
Season is over, see if one of the real young kids can play instead.

Has a year left on his contract which might be the only thing keeping him on the list next year

[wenchbarwer]

Sometimes playing kids just for the sake of it is a detriment to their development. If you’re not ready don’t play them

True, but over the years it's felt like Port have had a very consistent, stable team - limited opportunities for the younger / fringe players.

Morales, Lord, Berry, Williams, Cochrane - i've liked bits of their games, i'm eager to see extended opportinuity.

Anastasopoulos has been close for a while hasn't he? Where's he at?

There you go, I'd play all of them before Mead again.

Has a year left on his contract which might be the only thing keeping him on the list next year

Won't be the first overpaid SANFL footballer at either of the AFL clubs, won't be the last.

[Booney]

Sometimes playing kids just for the sake of it is a detriment to their development. If you’re not ready don’t play them

True, but over the years it's felt like Port have had a very consistent, stable team - limited opportunities for the younger / fringe players.

Morales, Lord, Berry, Williams, Cochrane - i've liked bits of their games, i'm eager to see extended opportinuity.

Anastasopoulos has been close for a while hasn't he? Where's he at?

Moraes will come on with another summer, Lord looks lost at both levels, Berry like Moraes is in his first year and Williams simply wasn't fit enough for too long IMO, Cochrane out for the year injured.

Stas hasn't been close at all, Charleson if not for injury would be ahead of him.

[Booney]

Port Adelaide enters the 2025 AFLW season driven to go one better following a 7-4 win / loss season and 6th placed finish before finals wins over Richmond and Hawthorn, going down to eventual premiers North Melbourne in the preliminary final at Ikon Park.

The 2024 season, Port Adelaide’s third in the competition, offered much promise for the years ahead as some young stars began to shine. Coach Lauren Arnell was without captain Jenelle Cuthbertson in defence after the captains season came to an abrupt end in round 2 on the MCG with a season ending ACL injury, one that took valuable experience from the on field line up after the retirement of Erin Phillips the year before.

While “Juzzy” Mules-Robinson, Ash Saint and Ang Foley were acknowledged as on field leaders some young guns showed they are ready to grow as the next generation of Port Adelaide’s AFLW stars. AFLW Rising Star and PAFC Best and Fairest winner Matilda Scholz took the competition by storm, her Mark of the Year widely seen as the best of any at AFLW level. Sidekick Abbey Dowrick became an elite inside midfielder, Shineah Goody loaded up her CV with the round 1 Rising Star nomination, AFLPA Best First Year player, PAFC Best First Year Player along with a nomination in the All Australian squad earning that accolade alongside defender Amelie Borg and Scholz.

Gemma Houghton, Julia Teakle and Ash Saint formed a formidable forward trio when available and Caitlin Wendland came in and regularly hit the scoreboard. Defensively Borg and Eb O’Dea led the way with Round 5 Rising Start nominee Molly Brooksy having a stellar debut season.
Dowrick was top 10 AFLW Best and Fairest, Scholz the Rising Star winner and Goody and Brooksby nominees while Scholz, Borg and Goody were named in the AA squad. Fair to say the young guns and Alberton made their mark and will be looking to build on that in 2025.

In the off season Cuthbertson has stepped down as captain to focus on her rehabilitation, draftees Lily Paterson, Jasmine Evans, Jemma Charity, Chloe Gaunt and Jasmin Sowden joined the club but one addition to the playing group is highly anticipated. At 178cm Lauren Young in described at the ultimate utility player and at just 15 years old she was named the best and fairest in the SANFLW, as well as South Australian MVP and All-Australian following the Under 19 National Championships. Cruelly her AFLW debut was put on hold as an ACL injury in April last year playing for West Adelaide sent her into a 12 month rehabilitation program. One to watch with interest.

The fixture was, to be fair, kind to Port Adelaide in 2024 but a preliminary final berth has guaranteed a tougher 2025. In the 12 round program Port face 2024 finalists Fremantle in round 1, premiers North in round 2 while round 9, 10 and 11 offer the challenge of last years 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed sides Brisbane, Hawthorn and Adelaide. A tough draw but one I’m sure the group is ready to face.

How does the squad go from preliminary final to the last Saturday* of the season?

Up front Julia Teakle, who missed the final 3 home and away matches of 2024 had 9 goals in 7 matches with a career high 4 against the Bulldogs and would be looking to team up with Ash Woodland ( 9 ), Wendland ( 9 ) and leading goal kicker Houghton ( 17 ) to add to Port’s scoring power. The anticipated return / debut of Lauren Young should add to that. Wendland was the surprise packet of the forward mix, 9 goals in 13 matches after joining Port Adelaide following 3 games with the Brisbane Lions in 2023. With the 3 talls, Wendland and the potential to see Young in the forward line Port have some scoring options. Over to the midfield.

In the midfield Rising Star Scholz may well take her game to another level as the best ruck in the game, at her feet Dowrick will be looking to emulate and improve on her top 10 AFLW BnF finish and the likes of Goody, Syme and Window are ready to go into their second or third years with more confidence that they can match it with the best. As the high forward / mids Lamb might spend more time as the inside mid with more forward line strength, very able back up ruck Levicki showed she can work in tandem with Scholz, does Scholz go forward more and stretch the opposition as rotations take place? Might be something to watch.

Defensively Borg has elevated her game and leadership, Hammond offers run and dare, the return of Cuthbertson will add some experience and the likes of Brooksby, O’Dea and Brook should offer some resolute defence. If Port’s back half can step up and hold the top sides they face there’s reason to think the midfield can and the forwards will create opportunities to kick winning scores.

A challenging fixture, a group full of youth, confidence and star power so how far can that take Port Adelaide in the 2025 AFLW season?
Be at Alberton on Sunday August 17th for the opening round of the season against Fremantle to find out!

( News has just broken that Caitlin Wendland will miss the upcoming season after scans have confirmed a ruptured ACL.
I had written this preview prior to that news. Best wishes to Caitlin )

[Lightning McQueen]

No AFLW in the AFL.

[wenchbarwer]

No AFLW in the AFL.

I thought this was finally the big announcement...

[mots02]

No AFLW in the AFL.

I thought this was finally the big announcement...

At this late stage I’m just going to assume that it is

[dedja]

https://youtu.be/2WN0T-Ee3q4?si=atIgq7I-UO8ojIRj