Port Adelaide senior coach Lauren Arnell says the team’s emphasis this week has been on returning to their processes and playing to their strengths, as they prepare to face reigning premiers North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos this Sunday at Arden Street.
Speaking to Adelaide media at captain’s run before travelling to Melbourne, Arnell discussed her side’s preparation for the Round 2 clash, what fans can expect from debutants Chloe Gaunt and Lily Paterson, and reflected on the legacy of Travis Boak and Ken Hinkley following last night’s famous Round 24 win at Adelaide Oval.
The Power last met the Kangaroos in last year’s preliminary final, where they fell by 57 points.
Arnell on the Round 1 loss
“We're disappointed with our effort and how we showed up against Fremantle. The main focus of the week has been to focus on us and get back to what we know and what we do well – which is show up and provide a contest for four quarters.”
Arnell on North Melbourne at Arden Street
“We can't wait to play North Melbourne. It's 21 players that get to run out there, and Coby Morgan will be part of that as our first emergency, who was recently added to our squad as a training partner. She did most of the pre-season with the group and was then added to our squad as the 31st player – it's great exposure for her going away with the team this weekend. We’re absolutely looking forward to putting our best foot forward against North Melbourne, and we don't feel we did that against Fremantle. And so regardless of who we play, it's an opportunity. It’s 21 players playing against 21 players, and an opportunity to get better. We can't wait.”
Arnell on debutants Chloe Gaunt and Lily Paterson
“It’s obviously really exciting for Chloe Gaunt and Lily Paterson, two kids who, after the first national draft, get an opportunity here at Port Adelaide. Chloe is from just south of Brisbane, north of the Gold Coast, and Lily from Perth. They’re two great kids who have come into our footy club, learned really quickly, and have got a lot of football left ahead of them. It’s a great opportunity for the two of them, and they've had great support from their teammates this week.”
“Chloe's developed her game in the Brisbane Lions Academy – she's quite raw at only 19 years old. She’s young, tall, and she's got some attributes where, and you see this in the contest, she is reminiscent of a Taylor Smith from the Brisbane Lions. While Lily is someone who, for someone who's probably grown up more around soccer, her hands around the contest are really, really good. Her weapon would be putting her teammates into space with her hands, which is something we don't have a lot of in our team at the moment. I'm really excited for the two of them.”
Arnell on the side’s injury list testing the depth of the list
“You could call it having your depth tested, or opportunities for young players. There's a positive lens to take on it, and certainly being Round 2, it's a great opportunity for our squad to put some experience into some younger players.”
Arnell on Travis Boak and Ken Hinkley’s final game
“Thirteen years for Ken – you don't see many coaches in any industry, in any sport, that are able to perform at such a level for so long, and certainly for him and his family it’s such a special moment last night. I’m really pleased for him and for Boaky (Travis Boak). You couldn't find a better guy – and I know that has not been lost this week, and we should keep talking about it. I try and help our athletes focus on what's important outside of footy, certainly to be the best person you can be, which he certainly has, and he sets the standard in everything that he does on and off field. I think it’s a blessing for a club to have a person like that. I couldn't have been happier for the two of them last night.”
