Justine Mules-Robinson holds the Showdown Shield. Image: Matt Sampson.

Port Adelaide captain Justine Mules-Robinson says her side is ready to embrace the rivalry and energy of Friday night’s AFLW Showdown IV, as she prepares to lead the club into the blockbuster for the first time as skipper. 

Speaking to the media at Norwood Oval ahead of the under-lights clash, Mules-Robinson reflected on the significance of the Showdown, the team’s growing consistency and belief, and her passion for representing women’s sport on one of the competition’s biggest stages. 

Mules-Robinson on her first Showdown as captain 
“Every Showdown is definitely high within the season, and it's only our fourth year playing a Showdown in the W, so it’s exciting. I think every year is just going to continue the same trend. I know as a player, we love the rivalry. I think as a club, it's a massive spectacle. And especially playing out at Norwood, I expect a huge crowd, and it's a great Friday night for the game.” 

Mules-Robinson on the Showdown rivalry 
“I think it's just natural. I'm a big soccer fan, so I look at Tottenham versus Arsenal — that rivalry is huge — so I like to compare it along those lines. I think everyone kind of just loves a good rivalry. I think it will be very interesting to see what happens on the night, but I think it's going to be a great game. I think playing in a Showdown is just an experience and an awesome opportunity. I think every game we get to play is an awesome opportunity, and especially it being a great rivalry between two SA teams — what’s not to love? 

“I think that's my focus (women’s sport). One of my priorities is what can we still do for women's sport and the growth in the AFL space? You know, the first Showdown was at Adelaide Oval, and we had a great spectacle there with a 20,000-person crowd. Now that it's down at Norwood — the community space and just the family environment — seeing the kids running towards us after the game with a smile on their face, I think the opportunity and the impact that we still have on the younger generations to come, that's where my heart is. And I think it's just going to keep getting bigger.” 

“I love playing here. I love everything about Norwood — the oval is very nice, and I've got some really great memories here. So, I'm just hoping the girls get the same feel after this weekend and that they just enjoy every moment. The continuous growth and improvement in the group is there, and just us playing four quarters of footy and everyone playing their role — that's all I'm going to ask for. What happens after the game, and what happens with the result, as long as we can walk away with our heads held high, I'm happy.” 

Justine Mules-Robinson is excited for the challenge of Showdown IV. Image: Matt Sampson.

Mules-Robinson on the side’s form leading into the blockbuster clash 
“Obviously we've kind of found form a little bit late this season, which hasn't been ideal. The display we put on Friday night was awesome, so we can only go up from here. But who knows — it will be down to which team rocks up on the day. I just hope it's going to be a great game, and that's all I can ask for from the girls.” 

Mules-Robinson on Indy Tahau’s form 
“What a weapon she is. I think a couple of years ago, who knows where she was thinking? Because obviously she would have had some pretty tough times coming back from the ACL — the timeline is so unpredictable on coming back from an injury like that — but just the turnaround that she’s had, she’s done a full 360. I'm just so grateful and glad that she's having the season that she truly deserves, and I’m very proud of her.” 

Mules-Robinson celebrates a goal with Shineah Goody in last year's Showdown. Image: AFL Photos.

Mules-Robinson on finding consistency 
“I think especially with our side, we're just going to continue looking at continuous improvement and continuous growth after each game and in each training session. Obviously, we want consistency, but it's footy — sometimes the ball bounces your way, sometimes it doesn't. But at the end of the day, as long as my girls are playing their role and they're still having fun after each game, that's all I can ask for.” 

Mules-Robinson on playing out the remaining home and away season 
“It’s going to be tight (to play finals), of course, but I think we're just going to take each week as it comes. We know that we've definitely got Crows and GWS coming up, so that's what we're just going to look forward to.” 

Port Adelaide is aiming to win its first Showdown Shield at AFLW level. Image: Matt Sampson.

Mules-Robinson on the team’s win against Hawthorn 
“We've had so many close games that really, I think we should have won, but I think just the belief and the growth — just knowing that we didn't want to get back to that point — because it has been very frustrating and disappointing. So, I think just a mentality of ‘not today,’ let's just keep chipping away and keep playing our footy, and it will eventually come off. I think having those hard games early on in the season has managed to help us get over the line.”