Port Adelaide midfielder Abbey Dowrick said Friday night’s win in Showdown IV ‘meant everything’ to her and the group. 

In a seven-point win, the 23-year-old claimed the Showdown medal following an impactful performance which included 24 disposals, five clearances, six tackles and a goal. 

Dowrick spoke with the Adelaide media on Tuesday, discussing the significance of the win, the developing rivalry with the Crows, and the team’s current run of form. 

Dowrick on what the Showdown win meant to the group 
“It meant everything. I mean, I think you could see that. I don't think you could wipe the smile off any of our faces. It was a really good feeling. I’ve been here since the start, from the inaugural season, so from losing, I think, almost 60 points in the first year on Adelaide Oval to just slowly keep chipping away at them every year and to eventually get them this year has been amazing. It felt really good. You understand what the boys say when they say how important Showdowns are. So yeah, it was great.” 

Dowrick on receiving the Showdown Medal 
“I was a bit stunned by receiving that award, but it's just an absolute honour, I think. Obviously, knowing how rich the history is for a Showdown between us and the Crows, yeah, it was awesome. But I think more so just getting able to hold that big trophy with all the girls, meant a lot more to me.” 

Dowrick on the developing rivalry in AFLW 
“It definitely is (heating up). I guess that's the best part about Showdowns and derbies and stuff, is those the heated moments and a bit of biffs and stuff, but just being able to have those and stick up for each other and then continue to stay calm and composed and play the footy that we want to play.” 

Dowrick on the team’s current form 
“We obviously would have liked to have clicked a bit earlier in the season, only being a 12-week season, it makes it a bit tricky if you get off to a bit of a slow start or slow in the middle. But hopefully that click flows on with us for next year, but we just do what we've been doing the past few weeks and go put that out against GWS. 

“I think just a big thing for us was just consistency. We had a few injuries as well, so I think that plays obviously a part in it when you're not having consistent players out every week. But yeah, as I said, it depends, it could take some longer than others, and unfortunately, it did take us a few rounds to find that groove, but I'm glad that we have that now.” 

Dowrick on the upcoming game against GWS 
“I guess like I was saying, it would have been nice to click a bit earlier, but (going) into this weekend, we will just play it like any other game. Do our work on them, and then hone into what we want to do and take into the game. We’ve just got to and see if the see if it goes our way.” 

Dowrick on the future of the young core 
“It certainly does (look bright). I think we say it most weeks, that we're one of the youngest teams in the competition. So yeah, it's exciting times. I mean, I'm only 23 and I think I'm in the older category. So yeah, it's very exciting to see, it's amazing to see all the girls that just grow up playing it now, from Auskick all the way through. So it'll be very exciting to see what happens.” 

Dowrick on Indy Tahau and Matilda Scholz 
“Indy, I think everyone said it was maybe a silly decision starting her down back the first two games! She’s obviously made a stand down in the forward line, breaking the record, kicking 22 goals. But yeah, another game (to go), so hopefully she can kick a few more and just rise above even further than she already has. And Matilda, it's amazing to think she is only 20 years old. She’s not even in her prime yet, so it'll be great to see what kind of stuff she gets up to out on the field when she is in her prime. It’s just amazing how well she gets around the ground, even for as tall as she is, I think she flies past me half the time, and I'm half her size. So it'll be great to watch her (grow).”