Power determined to learn from AFLW finals exit
After North Melbourne handed Port Adelaide a reminder of what it takes to be the AFLW’s best, Power coach Lauren Arnell is determined to make those lessons count.
The Power’s gutsy run through the AFLW finals was brought to a screeching halt in a 12.6 (78) to 2.9 (21) preliminary final loss to premiership favourites North at Ikon Park on Saturday.
Arnell stressed on multiple occasions that the clinical Kangaroos were the best team in the league, but relished what North had taught her young charges.
“There’s quite a significant gap at this point, and that’s OK in our attitude, I’m sure we’ll be right,” she said.
“We are disappointed. Let’s not miss that.
“But we also have a really clear understanding of where our gap is now, and I’ve been saying this quite bullishly.
“We don’t just want to be a team that plays in prelims – we want to be pushing towards future success.
“And I think this is the perfect scenario for us, after our third season, to be really well informed about where the gap is currently.”
Arnell was adamant Port’s high-intensity style, led by youngsters such as Abbey Dowrick, Piper Window and Matilda Scholz, would hold up in finals.
“We’ve shown winning two finals and losing to what’s the best team in the competition (that) our brand of footy is the right brand of footy,” she said.
The Power can also look to North’s long, ongoing wait for a first flag for inspiration.
“There’s growth for us to come. It’s only our third season. We’ve played about 34 or 35 games of footy together,” Arnell said.
“So there’s continuity as a team, and then there’s simple stuff that North Melbourne makes look so slick, like simple contested ground ball, (and) their kicking skills are exceptional under pressure.
“And I guess that cohesiveness as a team, that takes time.
“What I have just said to the group is North have lost a (qualifying final), they’ve lost a prelim, and they’ve also lost a grand final, and we’ve just entered our first final series.
“So I think the attitude check for us is the most important thing, and to be really fair to our playing group, something I’m really proud of is our attitude’s been exceptional all year, and it’s what has allowed us to be at this point.”
Arnell wouldn’t be drawn on whether the Power needed to add mature recruits or hit the draft to go to another level, but noted they needed to add more strength in the air.
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