Key forward Gemma Houghton says her side can’t wait for another challenge this weekend, as they take on Brisbane in front of the Alberton crowd.
Houghton, who kicked the club’s first goal for 2023 on Saturday has joined forces in the forward line with new recruit Ashleigh Saint, with the pair getting fans excited for what’s to come.
Houghton faced the Adelaide media on Tuesday to speak on last weekend’s Showdown, expectations for Saturday’s clash against the Lions and how the new recruits are fitting in.
Houghton on the Showdown
“We would have loved to have gone away with the four points and credit to Adelaide, they're an amazing team and they have been for a number of years in the competition. We know that we have confidence in the way that we did perform, and we were neck-and-neck for a few quarters and we just need to be able to play the four quarters and that will come through growth and experience over the next few games.”
Houghton on how the side has improved
“The first step would be when we were away from the cub and doing our off-season program. Fitness is a massive factor with (17) minute quarters and knowing the impact that can have in a game. The ability to trust each other on the field as well. We’ve got players that are incredible individually but when we work together as a team, we see how powerful we can be. I think just trusting each other and continuing to show our vulnerability and be ourselves in such a short space of time (together) really does help.”
Houghton on the focus for this weekend
“I think (it’s about) just playing our roles. We've worked really hard on our conditioning and our fitness and I think that was notable. It was a really warm game and we were still able to play out in those conditions but just sticking to our structure and our game plan and not going away from that, I think if we can do that, we'll challenge a lot of teams in the competition.”
Houghton on the new Port Adelaide recruits
“Yeah incredible individual performances from all of them. Tilds (Matilda Scholz) is amazing, she's so young, I sometimes get a little bit carried away watching her at training going up for marks. Just how she's taken on that role in the ruck it can be a big responsibility at such a young age but she takes it on with ease and I'm excited to see the rest of her season. Ash Saint as well, having her and JC (Janelle Cuthbertson) and Jas Stewart), really excited to see the season that we can have with our team this year.”
Houghton on joining forces with Ashleigh Saint
“I love Ash, we've had some really good training sessions together and to be able to see that come out to play in games was really exciting. Just knowing that I've got her support and she has mine hopefully in games to come is really exciting.”
Houghton on having Adelaide and Brisbane first up
“It is quite challenging but it's probably the best way to start. We were able to challenge ourselves against a really top side in the Crows and we've got Brisbane here at home and we’re really looking forward to another challenge. We're hoping that it really sets us up for the games to come.
Houghton on what her side can achieve this season
“I think that's any team's vision coming into the season, you want to do well and play finals. We'll take each game as it comes and I think we know even though we still have a very young side, I'm hoping (people) will be able to see that we took it to a top team on the weekend and that we can do that for the rest of the season. This week will be a nice challenge at home in front of our home crowd which we're really looking forward to.”
