Port Adelaide senior coach Glenn Strachan says his side is continuing to track in the right direction as they look to build on their new game style across the remainder of the 2026 season.
Speaking to the media at Alberton ahead of the main training session, Strachan discussed the side’s progress across the first five games, improving disposal efficiency, player availability and the opportunities for emerging players.
He also discussed Justine Mules-Robinson’s impact ahead of her 100th AFLW game, which will make her the first Port Adelaide player to reach the milestone, as well as Abbey Dowrick’s 50th.
Strachan looked ahead to the Round 6 clash with the Swans and the challenge of curbing the influence of star midfielder Chloe Molloy.
Strachan on the season so far
“It’s scary that we're almost halfway through the year, it feels like we're just getting into it. Are we where we expected to be from embedding the new game plan perspective? We are probably right where we thought we would be, but of course we’d love to have a couple more wins on the board, as most teams would. I feel pretty comfortable with what we've done up until this point that we're tracking in the right direction, we're looking for progress, not perfection, at the moment. And if we can keep going in that direction, then we'll be really happy.”
Strachan on the key areas his side can improve on
“Disposal efficiency is something we've spoken about internally, being better with the ball and how we can generate better looks at goal going inside 50 is probably our main area. But I also feel really comfortable where we are defensively, up until the weekend, and I feel like that's great growth for this group. And now we're just trying to blend all parts of our game together.”
Strachan on the side’s handball disposal efficiency
“It's something that we've spoken about. We've gone to work on it, but we've been working on that throughout the summer too. Our priorities still lie in winning contests and defending really strongly, and that's where we're putting our time and energy. But we also know that we have to score and we have to generate some of those handball chains to get there. I feel really comfortable with where the group's heading and the work that they're putting in.”
Strachan on taking the time to implement the game style
“It’s important that we've taught everything and reiterated everything, and our players have a great understanding of it (the game plan). I still feel like five games in, it's quite premature to have that conversation (about changing it). I think if we didn't play a 12-game season and it was 23, 24 games long, I guess you then have the luxury of a little bit more time. We know that we want to win games and that we need to win games, but at the same time, equally, we know that this is a journey much longer than just the five weeks that we've had so far.”
Strachan on player availability, depth and opportunity
“It’s tough when there are players that you can't pick. But at the same time, we feel like some of our injured players are getting closer and closer (to being available), and we'll get some of those back in the next fortnight, hopefully, and they'll make a difference to our team. Equally, though, I like the opportunity that sometimes these things create for our young players who are getting an opportunity to play and they're learning valuable lessons – there’s a silver lining there.”
Strachan on Ella Heads’ three-match suspension
“I'm not going to comment on how long it should have been. All I know is that Headsy went for a tackle, it was careless, and that's where it sits. We also know that she's a great leader and a great person in our program, and so we'll still lean on her, even though she can't play for the next three weeks. She's still going to be a really important part of our group.”
“I think she's okay, obviously she knows that she caused an injury, and she was remorseful, and she contacted Eliza after it. We'll wrap our arms around Ella and make sure that she's okay as well.”
“It presents opportunity for somebody else. We didn't have any injuries on the weekend, so that might be our only change. Hopefully, it'll give somebody else a chance to show what they can do and hopefully they take it with both hands. We'll train today and see what comes out of it. I think if nothing else, it gives somebody else that that chance.”
Strachan on the length of suspensions in the AFLW
“It's a long time out, but I don't know if they need to review it. It's just something that we have to deal with. It's a mistake that Ella made and she didn't pull out of the tackle early enough. We hope that Eliza's okay too, that's a big part of it. I'm not going to comment on whether it should be longer shorter, that's for the AFL to decide.”
Strachan on Matilda Scholz’s contract extension
“It’s a great show of faith from her. She had some opportunities to look at other clubs, and she was pretty firm on staying here at Alberton, which we love, and I love. It’s great that she’s committed long term to the footy club, and hopefully more people will follow as well.”
“I don't jump into the contract stuff a lot. I just I kind of stay in the lane of coaching Matilda to be the best player that she can be. And if she feels like that's helping her in her journey, and she wants to stay here till 2030, then that makes me really happy.”
Strachan on Justine Mules-Robinson and Abbey Dowrick’s milestones
“Justine is the first Port player to reach the milestone, seeing what she’s done over her time here is going to be a really exciting part of the week and obviously into the weekend. It’s 50 games for Abbey Dowrick too, which is cool. Abbey keeps forgetting that it’s her 50th this week, which is the most typical Abbey thing ever. But two great people that we get to celebrate this week, just like we did a couple of others last week. So that’s always a nice part of football.”
Strachan on how Mules-Robinson has helped him settle into the role as senior coach
“Her knowledge of the group and where they are and what they need is amazing, and it's been like that for a while. She’s a really strong leader for our younger girls and everyone around her with how she cares for them. She's so invested in the club and the group, and we love that from her. I lean on her heavily for her understanding of where the group's at any point in time. And also, she's a great player. So, when she plays really well for us, that makes a big difference.”
Strachan on preparing for the Round 6 clash against the Swans
“It’s going to be a tough game here. I think the weather’s looking pretty nice, so that’ll make for an exciting game of footy. They’ve got some great players which we’ll need to curb the influence of, but equally we feel like we’ve got some strengths that they’ll need to put some time into. I’m expecting a tough battle. If we can convert in front of goal, I feel like that’ll go a fair way to us getting the result that we want.”
Strachan on curbing the influence of Chloe Molloy
“With great difficulty. She's been a good player for a long time; I think it's going to be interesting with how they play her and where they use her. We hope to play a front half game, so if we can get that part right, it might curb a little bit of her influence. But you've seen over her career and even this year, she can hit the scoreboard pretty hard if you let her, so we'll put some plans in place to take that away.”
