Port Adelaide have confirmed their leadership group for their inaugural AFLW campaign, with star recruit Erin Phillips appointed captain.
The veteran forward will be joined by Ange Foley, Hannah Dunn, Gemma Houghton and Justine Mules as part of the Power's captaincy contingent, with Foley named as Phillips' deputy.
Phillips will follow in the footsteps of her father and club great, Greg, who played 343 games for Port Adelaide across 17 years at Alberton Oval.
After crossing over from Adelaide after three premierships and two best and fairests, Phillips expressed her delight in being named the Power's first ever captain, a role she shared in her time as a Crow.
“It is a huge honour to be named captain of Port Adelaide,” Phillips said.
“I feel incredibly privileged to be trusted to lead this amazing group of women, both on and off the field this season.
“My dad always said to me the only thing better than playing for this club is being captain of this club and, he was right,” Phillips said.
“Telling him the news that I had been named captain was a very special and emotional moment for both of us. I’m so excited to be following in his footsteps and can’t wait to lead the team onto the ground for the first time. It will be yet another special moment for this group and for Port Adelaide.”
Like Phillips, Foley and Mules bring with them premiership experience, while Dunn was Gold Coast's co-captain across the past two years.
Houghton will strongly bolster the Power's attack for 2022, with Port Adelaide’s head of AFLW Juliet Haslam lauding the quartet, and Phillips, for their immediate impact on the club.
“To have Erin leading our group in our inaugural season is very special and we know she will do an exceptional job as our captain,” Haslam said.
“She embodies everything that this club is about and is a complete professional and role model to everyone.
“Despite currently returning from injury, Erin has already shown her strong leadership capabilities throughout pre-season and we can’t wait to welcome her back to full training. Most importantly, Erin is a good person and will help us to maintain the fantastic culture we have established in this new team.
“We are very excited to have Ange as our vice-captain, who has been an absolute positive force among our group over the last couple of months.
“And, to top it off, we welcome Gemma, Hannah and Justine into the leadership group, who are excellent players and people, and we trust they will do us proud.”
Port Adelaide will begin their AFLW campaign against West Coast on Saturday, August 27 at Mineral Resources Park.
