Port Adelaide senior coach Lauren Arnell said despite the 29-point loss to the Brisbane Lions, she’s proud of her team’s four quarter effort in warm conditions at Brighton Homes Arena.  

Speaking to the media post-game, Arnell said that she thought the group forced the Lions to play some of their best football, describing her side’s performance as “gutsy”.  

She also touched on Ash Woodland’s outstanding 25-disposal performance, Matilda Scholz’s impressive season in the ruck, and how the group will prepare for a short turnaround for Hawthorn at home on Friday night. 

The Power will host its Pride Round game on Friday night against the Hawks at 6:45pm at Alberton Oval. Tickets are on sale now.  

Arnell on the Round 9 loss to the Brisbane Lions 
“I certainly thought we pushed the Lions to play their best footy, and it’s a credit to them. I'm really proud of our group. I thought the scoreboard didn't reflect the actual game, and we were really gutsy in the way we went about that last quarter - especially having Piper Window go down as early as we did, and a couple of girls who had been sick over the last couple of days. I thought it was a really gutsy way that we played, and I thought we had the game on our terms for chunks of it. It’s a credit to the Lions, and our group was good.” 

“I thought the Lions did a good job of creating repeat stoppages inside our forward 50 and really congesting that area - it was pretty hard for our group to score in those conditions. I think for the majority of the game, our group really threw everything at them, and I'm really proud of the way our group went about it.” 

“I thought certainly in the first half, particularly our forwards and our mids, adjusted to that (the Lions’ handball game) really well. We knew that they were going to look for that overlap handball, and early in the game I thought we looked after it really well. There are just moments when, if you lose contest shape against this team, they'll get you - and they did a couple of times. They are the little moments where I think our group will learn enormously from and take plenty out of tonight as we move into the last couple of games of the year that are fixed. I do want to give a shout-out, particularly to Matilda (Scholz) and Ash Woodland - outstanding games from them, particularly without Piper for really most of the game. They really stepped up.” 

“How connected we are as a group certainly isn't reflected in our ladder position right now, and that’s something I'm really proud of. We've come up to Brisbane for the first time tonight, and we've thrown a fair bit at the Lions here at home - I’m really proud of our group. We would like to be higher (on the ladder) than we are and would have liked to have won some closer games early in the year. But I think what's most important, and we've been saying this since pre-season, is how we go about this season and how we come together. And I think the group continues to respond in a really positive way.” 

Arnell on Piper Window’s injury 
“Piper (Window) was ruled out with concussion and has had to have some stitches. We'll obviously look after her as much as we need to, and she'll go into concussion protocols.” 

Arnell on Matilda Scholz’s performance 
“I do think Matilda Scholz is the best ruck in the competition. She wins hit outs, gets to ground level, and gets forward. If she's not in the All-Australian conversation this year, I don't know who is - she's been incredible.” 

Arnell on moving Ella Heads forward 
“We needed to shift her onto a wing this week, and I thought her shift and her slide throughout the game was really important for us.” 

Arnell on the possible return of Abbey Dowrick and Kirsty Lamb in Round 10 
“Abbey's absolutely a live chance for Hawthorn on Friday night at Alberton. And I think Kirsty Lamb ran today back home. There are a couple there that will push for selection, and we've travelled with three healthy emergencies this week as well. We’re really looking forward to Friday night. We'll debrief this one and then look ahead to a quick turnaround.” 

Arnell on preparing for the quick turnaround against Hawthorn on Friday night 
“Speaking to our High Performance Manager during the week, we’re typically good off short turnarounds. And ultimately, I think we will learn enormous amounts out of this experience. I back our group to turn around pretty quickly into Friday night.”