Port Adelaide AFLW senior coach Glenn Strachan says his side are focused on building from the Showdown V victory as they prepare to face West Coast at Alberton Oval on Saturday. 

Speaking to the media at Alberton on Thursday, Strachan said the win over Adelaide provided further evidence of the team’s progress, but there were still areas to improve as they prepare for an Eagles side that has won its past four matches. 

Strachan also discussed Ash Woodland’s outstanding form, plans to curb the influence of West Coast midfielder Ella Roberts and the availability of Ella Heads, who is eligible to return after serving a three-match suspension. 

Strachan on reviewing the Showdown V win 
“It was a nice review, it was nice to look back on what we were able to achieve in the Showdown. We saw some great evidence of things starting to come together a little bit more, which we've kind of looked for each week, looking for those signs. It was a nice way to start the week for sure.” 

“I think that game was as close to a final style game that you can get to, and obviously we were really happy with the way it played out. But there were still parts of it that we needed to be better and do better. So, we're still chasing those things. We'll lean on it and we'll talk about it and what we can gain from it, but every week's different. So, playing West Coast this week's a totally different challenge to playing Adelaide in the Showdown. So yeah, we're sort of all eyes forward at the moment.” 

Strachan on the numbers from the Showdown 
“I didn't realize probably the extent of the numbers till after the game and kind of where it all sat. Obviously, we use some of those KPIs to guide us, but we also use the state of the game and how we feel like it's going. So, by three quarter time we kicked five goals and they had none, and kind of felt like we were right on top. We were pretty buoyed by the fact that we were going inside 50 and taking some of the chances that maybe other weeks we hadn't. So yeah, we were probably just focused on some other things until after the game.” 

Strachan on harnessing the confidence garnered from the win 
“I think the confidence part's important, but equally we're still talking about what we need to get after and what we need to achieve. Our journey for the whole year has been much longer than just the next couple of weeks and where we end up. So, it's nice confidence to build on, but at the same time, we're still looking to keep getting better and better.” 

Strachan on the focus of the group for the remainder of the season 
“I think it's something that a lot of external media will talk about, the wins and losses, more so than we are. I think regardless of the result, we still look for the things that we did really well and we could action, and the things equally that we didn't quite get right that we need to chase. So, the short answer is no, it doesn't really change my mind and we're still chasing learnings and celebrating as well.” 

Strachan on Ash Woodland’s outstanding form 
“She’s been fantastic, Ash. I've really enjoyed how she's been able to balance the defensive side of her game and what she can do there, but equally what she gives us on offense. I think the weekend showed how good a player she is, and at the same time she's had other really good games that haven’t had the same stat line. She's one that we use regularly and lean on a lot. I was really happy for her game on the weekend.” 

Strachan on preparing for West Coast on Saturday 
“They're playing some really good footy at the moment. We played them in the pre-season over there in WA in a great contest. I think it goes back to the fact that we're not going to just rely on winning that one game on the weekend to solve what we're what we're shooting for. I think we'll take elements of the game against Adelaide, but we'll make sure that we put some plans in place for the Eagles.” 

Strachan on the fun home and finals hopes 
“Every game's tough, to be honest. West Coast has won four in a row, so I don't think you can take any team lightly. We haven't looked that far down the road, to be honest, and I know that's cliche, but it's kind of reality. So right now, where we sit, we need to just play really good footy this week and go from there.” 

Strachan on curbing West Coast’s Ella Roberts’ influence 
“She is really tough to stop. We'll put some plans in place, no doubt. But I think I always say that I think they'll have to put some plans in place for our players and our mids. So, where that leaves us, I don't know. I'm sure that Ella will play well. She's a really good player, but at the same time, I hope that our mids are able to generate some looks for us and go back the other way too.” 

“Maria Moloney is really strong defensively, so is Ash Woodland, as we spoke about before. She is somebody else that's done that role, and Shineah Goody's done it in the past too. So, I feel like we've got quite a few midfielders that could go through and share that role on Ella, and I mean they're all going to have to play well to stop her influence. They've got some other really good players in there as well. So, I don't think it's just Ella or nothing, but yeah, I feel confident that we have a few people that could do that job.” 

Strachan on Gemma Houghton’s improved form 
“I felt really confident that she's gaining momentum through her defensive actions first and foremost. The scoreboard stuff I've told her will come when she's defending the best that she can, and I think if you watch the game back, some of her defensive efforts were amazing and something that we've been building on for a while. She's worked on it incredibly hard, so I hope she gains confidence from it. But we've spoken this week about competence versus confidence. So, if she's just sure that she can do those things and continues to do those things, we'll be really happy.” 

Strachan on the pressure and intensity of the Showdown rivalry 
“We joked about it in the presser before the game, Ryan and I, about would we see some melees. I think what I enjoyed was the contest. The fact that we came out with a real strong mentality to make it a contest was what I enjoyed. I think this week it'll be different against the Eagles. I think the state of the game is going to look different. The style will look different, so I just hope our players are up for the contest, and I'm sure they will be.” 

Strachan on harnessing momentum and energy from the win 
“It's probably not something that we've talked about too much, it's probably more how do we continue to build on what we have built so far. It's probably the other way where it's like, all right, let's continue to use these learnings as kind of a springboard for the next week. We haven't spoken about what the ‘come down’ might be. If anything, we're trying to talk about how we harness the positives.” 

Strachan on Ella Heads’ availability after serving a three-match ban 
“Ella is back from suspension, and she's worked really hard in her training form. We’ve got to train today, but I imagine that that she'll play this weekend, and I'm sure she'll be really excited to get back out there if she gets the chance.” 

Strachan on Sachi Syme’s hamstring injury 
“She’s a test, so she’ll train today and see how she goes after that. That part of being injured is always a tricky one, and the road back is always a tricky one. If she gets through today, then she'll be available for selection. Whether or not we go that way, we'll just have to see where it all lands. But I think for her, it's positive signs that she's heading in the right direction.” 

Strachan on Lucy Boyd’s availability after recovering from a concussion 
“She was really strong in the games that she played. We'll probably just have to look at what our balance is. So, if Ella or Sachi or Lucy were to come back in, is that the best sort of fit for the Eagles? And I know she played there previously, so that would be exciting if she got the chance, but we'll probably just have to look at what our balance is and what our mix is, being that they're all defenders.”