Enjoying a "seamless" arrival to Alberton, assistant coach Sam Virgo says she's looking forward to seeing what Port Adelaide's squad can achieve. Image: Michael Sullivan.

PORT ADELAIDE has bolstered its AFLW coaching stocks in 2023 with the addition of experienced leader and All-Australian defender, Sam Virgo. 

To celebrate AFL Women’s Coaching Month, which takes place annually in July, we spoke with the new assistant coach to find out how she’s fitting in at Alberton. 

“I’m really enjoying it,” she said. 

“It's been a pretty seamless arrival. We're settling in well and so far, I'm loving it. Everyone’s been really welcoming and the team is building really nicely.” 

In February, Virgo moved from Queensland, back to her home state of South Australia, along with her wife and three young children, to further her coaching career. 

Senior coach Lauren Arnell was pivotal in bringing Virgo to the club, with the pair playing a season of AFLW football together in 2019. 

“It’s a really nice team to be a part of at Port Adelaide,” Virgo said. 

“The coaching group, everyone, brings real competence to each of their roles and each person is able to deliver their curriculum, so I'm really enjoying that autonomy. 

“I'm looking forward to seeing how much we can achieve. The players have been great, their appetite for learning and improving has been second to none, as good as I've ever seen. I can’t wait to get started with games and have a crack at some opposition teams.” 

Virgo stepped into coaching following a playing career at both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Image: Brooke Bowering.

Virgo recorded 29 games between the Lions and the Gold Coast SUNS before retiring from the top level in 2021, after which, she made more serious moves into the world of coaching. 

Shortly after her playing career ended, the now 36-year-old made history as the first female senior coach to lead an AFL under 17 championships boys team. 

Virgo’s passion for nurturing and guiding her group is obvious – she simply wants to see players unlock their potential and improve their game.   

“I've been in coaching just about as long as I've been playing,” Virgo said. 

“I really love helping people get better at footy or just allowing them to have footy as a part of their life. This is the highest level I've coached and I'm absolutely loving it.” 

Virgo has been impressed by her group of defenders, which includes experienced heads like Janelle Cuthbertson and Hannah Dunn, as well as young, developing players like Amelie Borg and Alex Ballard. 

Virgo is known around the club for her care and determination to get the best out of her players. Image: Michael Sullivan.

Cuthbertson in particular, speaks highly of her line coach, with the pair growing a bond from early in the pre-season. 

“I love Sam,” Cuthbertson said. 

“Over the last month or two, we’ve spent a lot more time together and she’s got a wicked personality and she’s just a good person as well. 

“She’s really family orientated and really embraces everything that we value as a club and as a team. On the track, personally she’s been helping me a lot with my style and my game. 

“She’s just fitted in so well with the group and we’re just so lucky to have her to bounce ideas off. She’s letting us find our way a bit too, which I think is really important.” 

Women’s Coaching Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of women and girls in coaching roles across the country and promote the pathway programs and initiatives to see more women in coaching, from grassroots to elite. 

Female participation in football has grown by almost 200 per cent since the AFLW competition was established in 2017.