THOUGH it did not come away with the win, Port Adelaide was able to execute a number of pleasing plans during its practice match loss to Essendon at The Hangar. Ex-Fremantle forward Gemma Houghton starred inside 50 and booted two goals in the first half before being rested in the second half, as captain Erin Phillips and the incredibly talented Abbey Dowrick starred for the full game throughout the 20-point defeat.

Houghton said she was “feeling really positive, really excited” about what the team was capable of despite the practice match defeat.

“We saw some amazing things, and I’m sure we’ll get the footage back,” Houghton told Port Adelaide media. “Some things to work on as well but I’m sure but it puts us in a really good position ahead of Round 1. “To go back, look at some vision and really focus on what we did well and where we can improve and hit the ground ready for Round 1.”

Port Adelaide booted 4.3 to 2.3 in the first half, with Houghton, Maggie MacLachlan and Olivia Levicki all hitting the scoreboard. At the main break, the Power opted to rest half a dozen players to give others a chance to shine on the big stage. Though it saw the Bombers overrun the Power with six goals to one in the second half, Houghton said it was crucial that the younger players were exposed to AFLW level prior to the season.

“AFLW is very short season so there’s obviously players coming in and out of competition and we want to make sure whoever steps in to take that position is ready and is comfortable in that position,” Houghton said. “It just shows the girls how we play and how we want to play. “When they come in there’s no different sort of experience, we’re all playing together and will support each other.”

As for her own personal form from that first half, Houghton said she was pleased with kicking two goals, and credited Phillips with her first goal, and the three-time premiership player’s consistency to just take control all over the ground.

“The first goal came off the back of Erin so I know that when she’s got it she’s going to push back and hold that space and I was really happy it came off her the first goal and hopefully there will be many more to come,” Houghton said.

“She (Phillips) did an amazing job. “She’s all over the ground, just her marking, her composure and just what she brings to this team is very valuable and I can’t wait to see her in the rest of the season.”

As for Dowrick who was playing her first practice match, Houghton said the hardened ball-winner just did everything right, by not only winning plenty of contested ball, but putting her body on the line and doing the team things as well.

“She’s an absolute gun, I was trying to keep track of all the smothers she had and I lost count, it was probably eight or nine,” Houghton said. “Just her impact, she’s got a thumping kick, I’m so excited where she can take her journey and I can’t wait to see her.”