ENTERING the competition fresh in Season 7, Port Adelaide has built a damaging list, particularly forward of centre, and the Power strengthened that in the 2022 AFL Women’s Draft. Port Adelaide joined reigning premiers Adelaide in the South Australian draft pool for the first time, and had an array of selections they used to pick up some incredibly talented players. Beefing up their midfield and defence in particular – with the forwardline already a huge threat from the established players they picked up. In the draft, the Power selected six South Australians, with one tall and a bunch of versatile types around the ground, as well as reuniting a brother-sister combination at Alberton.

SELECTIONS:

#3 Hannah Ewings (North Adelaide)
#7 Sarah Goodwin (Glenelg)
#23 Sachi Syme (Norwood)
#31 Ella Boag (Glenelg)
#45 Yasmin Duursma (Gippsland Power)
#61 Amelie Borg (North Adelaide)
#80 Lily Johnson (West Adelaide)

KEY THEME:

Skill and decision making. The Power have opted for best available early on, with the South Australian standouts clear, but is an equal happy coincidence all are skilful and with great decision making skills. Ewings is just about the complete package with her elite skill, strength and ability to hit the scoreboard when playing midfield or forward, whilst Goodwin’s skill and decision making coming off half-back is what stands out at junior level, and will remain a key feature of her game at AFLW level. Her Glenelg teammate Boag has similar traits, and though a bit more raw than Goodwin, has the potential. Syme is neat with ball-in-hand around the ground, while Johnson is a fantastic kick coming from the Apple Isle to have a crack at the draft, and Duursma is the second at Alberton, able to play anywhere on the field.

WHERE THEY FIT:

Many of the draftees will get a crack from Round 1, or if not Round 1, very early on in the season. Ewings, Goodwin, Syme and Borg are the locks one would think at this stage, with Borg being that lockdown key defender who is readymade for senior football. She can provide some rebound when given that role, but her one-on-one ability is what stands out. Ewings will lineup forward and roll through the midfield, with Syme playing a similar role, and Goodwin off half-back. It forms a really strong nucleus for the team in the future

Johnson is a forward/midfielder who has a terrific kick, is good overhead and can be dangerous inside 50. Though a bit of a surprise on the night, the traits are there and it is easy to see why the Power took a punt on the Tasmanian. Boag would not be too far away from senior level, having graduated from the Development League at the start of the year to the SANFL Women’s competition – and a finals series – by the end of it. Duursma has the advantage of being able to slide into a role anywhere on the field which helps, and she will compete for a spot early only as well.

OVERALL:

Port Adelaide has the potential to be a real surprise packet in Season 7. The Power have built a formidable list looking at skill and decision making, of which many of them have played consistent senior SANFL Women’s football in 2022. Though the Power have flown under the radar for their off-season, they are a side that could seriously do a lot of damage to established sides next season, and a be a threat in the long-term.