Port Adelaide has secured marquee player Gemma Houghton’s commitment to the club, after six seasons with Fremantle in the NAB AFLW competition.
The star forward has booted 40 goals in 46 games for the Dockers and is considered one of the most exciting attacking players in the league.
Houghton is a huge coup for the club, with the two-time All-Australian admitting she felt relieved after making the decision to come to Alberton.
“I’m feeling like a weight has sort of lifted off my shoulders,” she said.
“I’m obviously very excited and very keen to get over there and can’t wait to catch up with Erin (Phillips) and the other players that have committed to the club already. In some ways, it’s definitely emotional for me. It’s a big change, but I’m feeling really happy with my decision.
“I wanted to challenge myself, take on a new opportunity and when I looked at the Port Adelaide list, the management and coaches in place, it just got me really excited. I’ll be surrounded by such strong women and being an expansion team, I’ve got my own career path to continue to forge.”
In a somewhat poetic twist, Houghton’s childhood was spent barracking for Port Adelaide in the AFL, despite being a Western Australian.
Originally a talented basketballer, Houghton found herself drawn to football when she responded to the open athlete talent search, ahead of the first AFLW season in 2017.
At Fremantle, the energetic personal trainer is affectionately nicknamed ‘Aunty’ – a moniker stemming from both her warm, maternal nature and Indigenous roots. The 28-year-old is a proud Yindjibarndi woman, with her father’s family hailing from the Pilbara region in the north of Western Australia.
“Through Fremantle and working different types of jobs in WA, I’ve worked a lot with Indigenous youth, so to come over to Adelaide to play, share my story and help Indigenous kids in another state is awesome.”
Port Adelaide’s head coach Lauren Arnell is thrilled to have Houghton join the inaugural women’s side.
“Gemma is an incredible player and we could not be happier for her to commit to Port Adelaide,” Arnell said.
“She is really experienced, successful, a two-time All-Australian and one of the most athletic players in the competition. She has a really nice leap, is very quick and has the ability to bring pressure and turn games around.
“Having very capable female leaders in our program is important to what we are building at Port Adelaide and we are so excited that Gemma will add to that, particularly in the Indigenous engagement space.”
