Port Adelaide star midfielder Abbey Dowrick has spoken about her decision to remain at Alberton until at least the end of the 2030 season, reflecting on her career-best campaign, the influence of senior coach Glenn Strachan and her belief in the group’s future.
Speaking to portadelaidefc.com after signing her contract extension, Dowrick also discussed her work to improve her consistency and stoppage craft, her connection to Adelaide and her appreciation for the club’s passionate supporters.
Dowrick on remaining a Port Adelaide player until 2030
“I'm absolutely stoked to be staying here for a few more years. I love it here at Port Adelaide and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Port were the first ones to give me an opportunity in the first place, so I felt like I owed a bit to them to stick around. But I just love it here. I love the group of girls and the game style that we have now and that we're building. I really enjoy Glenn's coaching as well. I just love Adelaide as well. It's become my second home.”
Dowrick on her career-best season
“I’ve just been trying to find consistency week in week out. I think just having a good off-season and pre-season factors into how your whole season goes. I was trying to not overdo it, but also just enough that you keep building and building. I also spent a lot more time working on my stoppage craft and centre bounce work. I wanted to get better at the fundamentals of things, and I think that comes into play quite a lot in terms of my season this year.”
Dowrick on her different approach to her recent off-season
“I tried different styles of fitness this time. Obviously, running's our main form, but I got in the pool quite a bit as well. Not a fan of the ski erg and bike, so I decided to jump in the pool. It can be a little bit boring, but I started to feel really good afterwards. And I think just running with the girls helps because it helps you push one another. I’ve learned that I’m not as good at pushing just myself, so just try to ensure that I'm running with someone.”
Dowrick on the first season with Glenn Strachan at the helm
“I love Glenn, I think he's an awesome person and an awesome coach. He's just got so much energy about him, and he just wants us to be better, and wants himself and everyone around him to be better human beings, better players, and better coaches. I love what he's trying to do with us, and I think you see parts of it in our game every week. So hopefully next year and the years to come we just get more of that week in week out, but I really enjoy Glenn as a coach, he's got a lot of time for every individual at the club, so that means a lot to us.”
Dowrick on the belief she has in the group
“I've always been a one club kind of person as well, so I love that I'm getting to stay. You can feel the belief in the group, and Glenn as a coach, and also Sauce as our General Manager (Dan Merrett), he's got so much belief in this group, and you can see that by the team that he's recruited for us off the field, and also to come on the field. Juzzy (Justine Mules-Robinson) said it recently, and we know she's retiring, but there's just a lot of belief in the group. You can see week in week out what we're trying to do, and once we get the consistency, we’re going to be a great side I think.”
Dowrick on the Port Adelaide fans and running out at Alberton
“As I said on the Showdown night, I think we have the best fans in the competition, they mean everything to us. Obviously, we wouldn't get to do what we do without them, without their support and showing up week in, week out. I think quite a few of them as well come interstate with us sometimes, which is incredible because that costs a lot of money and a lot of time and effort as well. But we don't take that for granted. We have the best fans, and I'm so grateful, and I know all the girls are as well. It's quite overwhelming when you got so many people out there screaming for us and having the scarves up for Never Tear Us Apart. That's definitely something I'll cherish forever.”
