Port Adelaide captain Justine Mules-Robinson says reaching the 100-game milestone is something she “never once thought” would happen, as she prepares to become the first player to reach the feat for the club. 

The 31-year-old will run out for her 100th AFLW game against Sydney at Alberton Oval on Saturday, having played 49 games for Adelaide before joining Port Adelaide as part of its inaugural side in 2022. 

From balancing football with full-time work to navigating the challenges of her career, Mules-Robinson has reflected on the journey to 100 games, her development as a leader and the legacy she hopes to leave at Alberton. 

Mules-Robinson on what the milestone 100 games mean to her 
“As cliché as it sounds, it means the world. I never once thought I'd still be playing football at this level. I never thought I'd get past season three of my career. So, to be here and to be a leader for these girls is something I'm incredibly proud of. I’m proud to say I'm a Port Adelaide player, and very honoured and grateful that I've had people believing in me to get me to where I am today.” 

Mules-Robinson on what’s allowed her to have longevity in her career 
“I think just making sure I still have fun because we're here for so many hours, and if you're not having fun, then what's the point of doing it? It’s something I really encourage the group too, just to make sure that they're having fun and having a great career. I've had some struggles in my career as well, where at times there it was doom and gloom, and then just for me to get out of that headspace and just do what I want to achieve, has definitely allowed me to get to the big 100.” 

Mules-Robinson on navigating challenges on the road to 100 games 
“It was tough balancing full-time work, which I still am doing, but then just trying to find a really good balance of the opportunity to play AFLW, working full-time, and then the balance with friends, family… But I just realised how special it is. And I know a lot of people would love to be in the position that I am in. And my dad always said, ‘Why can't you do it? But as long as you're having fun’, and that's just what I've just taken away from the doom and gloom days, just to make sure that if you're here and you're having a laugh with the girls, what's not to love?” 

Mules-Robinson on what it means to become the first Port Adelaide player to reach the 100-game milestone 
“It’s unbelievable, it’s almost silly when you think about it, but like I said before, I’m incredibly honoured, and I just can't wait for one of our girls to be the first ever Port Adelaide player to just play 100 games for the club. I can't wait for that, whoever that next person is.” 

Mules-Robinson on reviewing the Melbourne game 
“I think just focusing on the good things that we did do, and just the little improvements week-by-week for the season. Obviously, there is a big change of game style compared to the last couple of years. So, we're still adapting and very much in the infancy of that, and some quite young, inspiring footy players are coming through our systems as well. 

So, just giving them a bit more confidence, so they can play their role for us. But we are taking the little wins. Melbourne is a great side; they've been in the competition and have been successful for a long time as well. Their skills were elite on the weekend, and unfortunately, our efficiency wasn't there.” 

Mules-Robinson on the season so far 
“You try not to do the math early on in the year and think, ‘This is how many wins and how many losses’ (you need to make finals). But you’ve just got to ride the wave sometimes. And obviously, depending on how the season's going, you have to take those little wins and just make sure that we come up each week with a positive mindset that we can get better. And that's what we just continue to do is just try to get better in terms of our skills and adapt with each team and each opposition that we're playing against. As long as we've just got key actions that we want to produce throughout the week, we’re moving in the right direction.” 

Mules-Robinson on the side’s injury list and depth 
“Unfortunately, that's a sport and obviously with a smaller list, it doesn't help. Having some big names like Indy Tahau out for the rest of the year, it's a big one. But you know, we understand that's what happens in footy, and we have just got to ride those waves.” 

Mules-Robinson on Ella Heads’ three-match suspension 
“We're all disappointed in the outcome of that incident, for both Eliza McNamara and the injury, and Ella. Through advice from our legal team, we've accepted the offer. We're just getting our arms around her as much as we can. She's been in touch with McNamara as well. It’s unfortunate circumstances, but there was no malice intended. Ella’s a strong player; she's a great defender. Unfortunately, sometimes that's how footy plays out, it’s a contested game.” 

Mules-Robinson on how her leadership has developed as captain 
“I've had to make sure that I'm always physically and mentally on for the girls. We do touch base on being your true self and having those vulnerable moments, but I try and make sure I’m always walking into the changerooms with my head held high and just getting around the girls. Never once did I ever think I'd ever be in this position as captain. So, I just want to use my leadership to help bring the young ones along with me, and we've got some great aspiring leaders coming through the system. We've got some future leaders ahead of us already downstairs in our change rooms, and I’m very excited to see them as captain after me.” 

Mules-Robinson on the inaccuracy in front of goal 
“It's coming! If you look at the stats, it is working, our structures are there. We talked about our efficiency, that definitely let us down the weekend and probably a few weeks before. We're getting some really good looks inside 50, but we just need to capitalise on it.” 

Mules-Robinson on Matilda Scholz’s three-year contract extension 
“It’s very exciting, and I think it just shows how strong our culture is. We’ve got big names like Matilda Scholz wanting to stay at Port Adelaide, so I think that says a lot about her and the courage that she's put in the team and the club for allowing her that big extension.” 

Mules-Robinson on what her late Dad, Phil Mules, would say about her milestone 
“He'd be like, ‘Bloody hell, mate! I knew you could do it’. Phil… he was my biggest fan; he probably still is. He'd just be over the moon, and in his words, as Phil Mules would say, he'd be tickled pink.” 

Mules-Robinson on what she’d say to her younger self 
“Anything's possible if you put your mind to it. Even if the goal's big, just write it down and just keep doing little things over and over just to eventually get there. Nothing's too far out of reach.” 

Mules-Robinson on the game that she’s most proud of 
“Probably the prelim final against Hawthorn. We were so far down because I remember just being on the bench thinking, ‘I can't wait for a beer tonight’. But then obviously coming away with a win, and the fearless footy that the girls played to leave everything out in the field. That was a fantastic moment that I'll never forget.”