Inaugural AFLW player Gemma Houghton will celebrate her 75th career match this weekend. Image: Matt Sampson.

Inaugural AFLW and Port Adelaide player Gemma Houghton will celebrate a major career milestone this Sunday, running out for her 75th AFLW game in the club’s Round 1 clash against Fremantle at Alberton Oval. 

Speaking to Adelaide media on Thursday, the two-time All-Australian said the achievement is made even sweeter by the opportunity to start the season at home, surrounded by the fans who have embraced her since joining the club. 

Houghton also reflected on her career highlight – kicking the winning goal during Indigenous Round to secure the side’s maiden finals appearance – as well as the exciting next generation of AFLW players, and how the team has prepared for Fremantle. 

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Gemma Houghton & ASC announcement press conference - 14 August

Matthew Richardson and Gemma Houghton speak to the media at Alberton Oval ahead of Gemma's 75th AFLW game and the announcement of ASC's partnership with the club.

Houghton on playing her milestone 75th game 
“To play 75 games, and how it’s all lined up to play a home game here at Alberton and against my former side, Fremantle – it’s special. My family is coming over tomorrow, so I’m really excited to just spend the moment, enjoy the weekend, and take in whatever it brings.” 

Houghton on her career highlight 
“It was Indigenous Round last season – the last game in Round 12. I kicked a goal in front of the Bob Quinn Stand, turned and celebrated with the girls, and we secured a home final – it doesn’t get any better than that. You couldn’t script it. To be proudly wearing our Indigenous guernsey in that moment – I’ll never forget it.” 

Gemma Houghton's incredible match-winner will long live in the memory of Port Adelaide fans. Image: Matt Sampson.

Houghton on playing at Alberton Oval 
“I always talk about playing here; there’s nothing better than hearing Never Tear Us Apart in the grandstands and feeling all the support we have from the Port Adelaide fans. There’s nothing better than playing at home and having that home advantage as well.” 

Houghton on the next generation of AFLW players 
“The younger girls definitely remind me how old I am! We saw first-hand last season the exciting player that Shineah Goody is – the way she takes her game on is amazing, and it’s the same for a lot of our young players coming through. I’m in my 10th year, but I know the competition in 10 years’ time is just going to be even bigger and better. I’m so excited to see what Shineah can do this year, as well as Matilda Scholz and our draftees coming through. We’ve got some exciting players on our list, and I just can’t wait to see them take their game to another level. I’ve seen how hard they’ve worked.” 

Gemma Houghton says she is excited by the side's upcoming young talents, keen to see how they can take their game to the next level. Image: AFL Photos.

Houghton on this Sunday’s Round 1 clash with Fremantle 
“A few of the girls from Fremantle have already messaged me – I’ve got great friendships with them. But I have no doubt they’re going to come out and give it everything. I’ve also seen first-hand the work we’ve done this pre-season and what we’ve been able to create in our fourth year, so I’m just really excited to see what we can bring this year in the competition and how far we can take our game.” 

“Fremantle have always played a very hot, contested style of football. We experienced that when we played them for the first time last season – we took away some key learnings from that. We’ve finished our practice matches, and now we’re just really excited to come out this weekend. To start with a home game – it doesn’t get much better than having your home supporters here and playing at Alberton. We’re really excited to run out this weekend.” 

In a fitting coincidence, Gemma Houghton will play her 75th AFLW match against her former side. Image: AFL Photos.

Houghton on what the side took from their maiden finals campaign 
“I think it just really instils belief that we are capable of doing it. We’re an expansion team and came into the competition well after it was established. We were able to have some great players from other clubs, with Erin Phillips and her legacy in the AFLW competition, and now Justine Mules is our captain. The leadership and experience she brings, alongside Lamby (Kirsty Lamb) and co-vice-captains Julia Teakle and Amelie Borg, puts us in really good hands to harness that experience and bring it into this season. We’ve got amazing support from the club and our coaches. We’ve taken our game to another level, and I think, if anything, it just shows we have so much raw football talent in our young group.”