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Port Adelaide names Erin Phillips as captain for second season, introduces wider leadership group

“Everyone is working really hard toward achieving more on-field success in 2023.”

Published by
Ryan Saxelby

Port Adelaide has announced Erin Phillips will captain the club's AFLW side for the second-straight season.

Phillps, a three-time All-Australian and three-time premiership player throughout an illustrious and continuing AFLW career, will lead the Power again this season.

In the AFLW's seventh season, Phillips led Port Adelaide in disposals per game (14.6), to go along with 2.6 clearances and 2.8 tackles per contest.

Whilst her Power only obtained a solitary win last season, Phillips has made it her goal to go further in the competition's eighth campaign.

Phillips explained how honoured she is to be named the captain of the side again, detailing the privilege of being the elected leader for the younger players, as well as wearing the number one on her guernsey.

"[I'm] super proud [and] very honoured to captain this great football club, it's been an awesome off-season and pre-season," Phillips began during a club release on Wednesday.

"I'm just excited to start playing, which is only just around the corner, so to be able to wear this number (#1) means a great deal, so hopefully I can represent this club proudly."

Phillips pumped up the rest of Port Adelaide's leadership group ahead of the start of the new season, stating the club's common goal is 'more on-field success'.

"I'm really happy to be supported by a strong and capable group of leaders in Ange (Foley), Janelle (Cuthbertson), Justine (Mules) and Hannah (Dunn), and I also want to congratulate our group of emerging leaders," Phillips continued.

"Everyone is working really hard toward achieving more on-field success in 2023 and we can't wait to get our season started."

Port Adelaide's head of AFLW, Juliet Haslam, spoke about how much of a benefit it is to the club to have a leader like Phillips around, as well as praised the newfound leadership group for taking a step up and emerging as role models for the club.

"To have Erin lead our group again this season is very special," Haslam said on Wednesday.

"She (Phillips) has a proven record of fantastic leadership, both on and off the field, and [has] a deep connection to this club. I know that Erin and her leadership group will guide the team with enthusiasm and continue building on the connection we established in our inaugural year.

"We are also pleased to have appointed a group of emerging leaders. The four players that have been selected have shown great commitment and professionalism and are positive role models for our young group."

Port Adelaide will commence its second AFLW campaign on September 2 against the Adelaide Crows at Norwood Oval.

Published by
Ryan Saxelby