IN the closest Showdown that the AFL Women’s competition has produced, Adelaide prevailed by 14 points, with co-captain Ebony Marinoff taking home best on ground honours.

Although the expected outcome come true, Port Adelaide were in the game up to their eyeballs, with the Crows failing to capitalise on their far superior inside forward 50 differential (42 to 27).

The Crows (40.5 per cent) had a lower efficiency inside their forward half than Port (44.4 per cent), as well as having more of the Sherrin (184 to 241 disposals).

Adelaide head coach Matthew Clarke alluded to the wastefulness post-match.

“[It was a] great win, [a] really good game [and a] really good contest, [we] probably left a couple out there but ultimately couldn’t be happier to get the season underway with a win,” he said.

One of the biggest talking points coming out of the game was the ineffectiveness that Adelaide continued to have down forward, with only Jess Allan and Eloise Jones kicking multiple goals, despite the differential.

“As I said, I thought with inside 50s, we were had a nice advantage there, [that is] probably the one little area where we will review and have a look at, it is at our shift and our ability to make sure that we are covering the back rather than [not],” Clarke admitted.

“I think four or five of their goals were [due to] getting out the back of us so that’s probably not ideal but other than that, [we are] happy.”

When asked about how his side were able to contain the rampaging Port Adelaide outfit, Clarke pointed to their defensive and contest work.

“The defensive pressure was really high, our tackle numbers were really strong, [and] I thought our contest stuff was really good,” he said.

“But I thought Port were actually really good at that area too, and [I think] really other than letting a few balls over the back and missing some chances where we could have converted up front, it was a pretty solid performance.”

During the last season and even the pre-season this year, Clarke has not been afraid to shuffle the forwardline, with Zoe Prowse, Brooke Tonon and Chelsea Biddell performing cameos. On Friday night it was relatively settled said Clarke.

“We are not afraid to shuffle [the forwards] most years to be honest but if anything we’ve probably gave them a little bit more stability today,”

“Clearly there was a really strong breeze to that end [and] in the first quarter I think they had five intercept marks, so we just felt in [the third quarter], we probably needed a bit more aerial presence.

“Chelsea Biddell went forward and kicked one and had some other chances so that kind of was okay, but then once again cause of the conditions, in [the fourth quarter] it would be better to have her back behind the ball.”

With Port Adelaide coming the closest they have ever come to besting the inaugural premiers and cross-town rivals, the players were understandably frustrated by ‘things within their control’ said head coach Lauren Arnell.

“[The] time in front half, that was a pretty big differential,” she said.

“It felt like this constant tussle in terms of what you are trying to achieve as a coach and what the players are trying to do on the ground. The Crows constantly trying to generate a spare, we wanted to equalise that all night, and it becomes a big tussle for four quarters.

“When we got that done, I thought we were on top in the contest to be fair, we were just not able to get it done for four quarters and we were quite sloppy at [the defensive] 50 stoppages.

“The numbers I’ve been given are Crows kicked 7.7 [and] we gave them 5.2 from our [defensive] 50 stoppages, so [that’s] sloppy, [they are] things that are in our control absolutely.”

Arnell gave plaudits to the defenders who stood up with constant pressure being applied by Adelaide.

“I think for Amelie Borg and Janelle Cuthbertson, those are two that I get asked a little bit about,” Arnell continued.

“‘Borgy’ I don’t think she’s turned 21 yet, and that’s a kid who, we send our group away with a really strong message to work, get fit, get stronger.

“She’s led the way in that space and that translates into performance which I’m most proud of for her, and she takes a lot of confidence out of her hard work so we love that.

The newest Port Adelaide club captain Janelle Cuthbertson was a calm influence early when the teams were looking to settle into the match. She took four marks and had 211 metres gained.

“And Janelle, you know, first game as skipper officially, and I said to everyone prior to the game, she’ll lead by example and we saw that again tonight.

“[She’s] a real team player, smart interceptor, and will just do anything she needs to for the team so pleased with the two of them.”

An injury replacement and the last on Port Adelaide’s list, Teagan Germech was also highlighted for her run by Arnell.

“Teagan Germech, I thought was off the backline too, a new element of run that we probably haven’t had in the past.”