Two-time All-Australian and Port Adelaide forward Gemma Houghton has joined the AFLW Competition Committee ahead of the 2025 season.
Houghton’s decorated career spans nine years after debuting with Fremantle in the opening round of the 2017 season before signing with Port Adelaide as part of its inaugural team in 2022.
The star forward sits in the top ten of AFLW’s all-time leading goalscoring list and was prolific once again in 2024, booting 17 goals and playing in all 14 games.
Known for her warm and friendly nature, off the field Houghton harnesses her passion for creating opportunities for young people through various programs run by the club’s charity arm, Power Community Limited.
Responsible for driving the overall progression of the AFLW competition, Houghton will bring a wealth of experience garnered from her 74-game career to the committee, which is made up from a range of representatives from clubs, coaches, and executives across the league.
The first meeting was held on Wednesday with the agenda covering growth of the game, talent pathways, game analysis and player movement.
The AFLW Competition Committee members are:
- Simone Wilkie AO (Chair, AFL Commissioner)
- Laura Kane (AFL Executive General Manager Football)
- David Barham (Essendon President)
- Julia Chiera (AFLPA, Head of AFLW)
- Jan Cooper (West Coast Eagles Board Member)
- Tom Harley (Sydney Swans CEO)
- Gemma Houghton (Port Adelaide AFLW player)
- Erin Lorenzini (General Manager AFLW North Melbourne)
- Kath McCann (General Manager Marketing, Public Affairs and Social Impact Tasmania Football Club)
- Emma Moore (General Manager AFLW)
- Jordyn Pearson (AFLW Field Umpire)
- Erin Phillips (AFL Football Performance Lead)
- Hannah Priest (St Kilda AFLW Captain)
- Craig Starcevich (Brisbane Lions AFLW Senior Coach)
