Port Adelaide AFLW Senior Coach Glenn Strachan is looking forward to experiencing his first Showdown when the Power host Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Saturday night.
Speaking to the media alongside Adelaide’s Ryan Davis ahead of the annual blockbuster, Strachan has reflected on the history and rivalry between the two clubs, the lessons from the Power’s recent losses and the importance of keeping the club’s finals hopes alive.
He also discussed team selection, the important partnership with Variety the Children’s Charity, and a special visit from Port Adelaide great Dom Cassisi ahead of Showdown V.
Tickets are still available, but selling fast, with a sellout crowd expected at Alberton Oval on Saturday night. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets now.
Fans can also enjoy plenty of entertainment around the ground, including a free Ferris wheel in the Precious Cargo Kids Zone. Located via the Seventh Avenue entrance, the kids’ hub will offer plenty of entertainment for families throughout the night.
Queen Street will be closed for the occasion and transformed into Food Truck Alley, creating a street-party atmosphere ahead of the game, while a post-game fireworks display will close out the night.
Over at the Alberton Bowls Club, fans can also enjoy a free game of night bowls while taking in one of the best views of the ground from the western boundary.
Strachan on coaching his first Showdown
“I couldn’t be more excited. I think it's just such a great rivalry in sport, and something that we're seeing in AFLW more and more as the rivalries develop across the league. Obviously, the Showdown has been around for a long time, and it's something that I think all Adelaide fans and AFL fans love getting around. Our group's really excited about tomorrow and can't wait to play here at Alberton. The history of this ground and Port Adelaide... it's just something that I think we're all really keen for.”
Strachan on the rivalry between the two clubs
“It is a funny one. I guess on-field and off-field are very different. I've seen a little bit and heard a lot about the four Showdowns that have gone on so far and the history, and we obviously have reflected on last year and getting that win and what that meant for our group. It's a great rivalry and I'm excited to be a part of it.”
“We’ve been here for 156 years at Alberton, which has great history, and obviously Adelaide in more recent times has been using the oval, training at it and playing at it. It's a cool part of footy, so whilst I don't like it, I'll allow it.”
Strachan on keeping finals hopes alive
“I don't know if it's our last shot. It's definitely an important game for us and we haven't shied away from talking about that and what it can mean for us. But equally, last year we saw how tight it can get right at the end of the season. So, if you're playing some good footy at the end of the year, I think you're always a chance. We're aware of how big a game it is for our season, for sure.”
Strachan on the learnings taken from the losses
“I think it's all part of implementing a very different system. I think we're still very early on in implementing that and getting it right. Some things have clicked straight away. I think probably our team defence was something that we saw work straight up, and then probably our offence and how we're trying to change our methods is something that we're still chasing. The second half against the Bulldogs last week, we saw great evidence of what it can look like. Hopefully we can come out and kick seven goals in the first half instead of the second half tomorrow. We've been steadfast on what we're trying to achieve, and if that takes, you know, two games or 20 games, then we're comfortable with that. We're seeing this definitely as a long-term project.”
Strachan on Sachi Syme’s hamstring injury
“It's a little setback. It's not as big a setback as probably what some people believe it to be. We were hoping that she'd play this week, and that's not going to happen. She's really keen to play some good footy at the back end of the year. The medical team's pretty comfortable with where it's all kind of landed, and as much as they wanted it to be this week, and Sachi definitely wanted it to be this week, hopefully it’s sooner rather than later.”
Strachan on managing soft tissue injuries in a short season and long off-season
“It's probably a good reflection piece that we will talk about at the end of the year. I think AFLW is growing all the time, and the more time that we can spend with the players, I think it's always going to be a good thing. It's probably something that we'll look at when our season ends.”
Strachan on Kirsty Lamb’s omission from the Showdown V side
“It's probably just the balance of the team overall. Lamby has been a really good player for a long time, and we value what she does in the contest for us a lot. I think we saw great evidence last week against her old team in the Bulldogs, but we've chosen to go a little bit faster this week. We’re confident she can be a part of something that's successful over the long term, and she wants to do that. So, whilst she's not playing this week, she's still very much aware that she can be a valued member of our group.”
Strachan on the crowd expected for the annual blockbuster
“It's pretty close to a sell out, if not already, so I'm sure that both the Port and Adelaide fans will get behind it, and I imagine it'll be sold out by game time. I think it's great for the game and the rivalry.”
Strachan on the important partnership with Variety the Children’s Charity
“They've been a great supporter of the Showdown for a long time, both across the AFL and the AFLW space. We had Milliana out, who's one of the Variety clients, and it was a great testament to what Variety does. We got to see her do a backflip because she's a gymnast, and I've asked if she can do one through the banner, so see if that happens! But the way that Variety supports young people all across the state, I think is really important – the work they do is very valuable.”
Strachan on Dom Cassisi’s address to the playing group
“Dom came out and spoke to us yesterday in our team meeting, and he very much touched on the rivalry and what it meant for Port Adelaide and how long it’s been going on for. He spoke about the 20-odd Showdowns that he played in and what I guess he remembers from those. I've seen some Carlton v Collingwood rivalries, and I'm sure Ryan has seen some stuff as well on his journey. But I think the Showdown in Adelaide is just amazing.”
