Port star becomes first AFLW player to big milestone
Star Port Adelaide forward Gemma Houghton has become the first AFLW player to kick 100 career goals, reaching the milestone in unforgettable fashion.
With the result secure at the final change, Port teammates were desperately trying to get the ball to Houghton throughout the last quarter of the 11.15 (81) to 3.6 (24) win.
The 31-year-old Yindjibardni woman missed multiple chances earlier in the term, before captain Justine Mules-Robinson spotted her about 30m out just before full-time.
Houghton made no mistake after the siren to kick her fourth goal of the match, before being mobbed by excited Port teammates.
Electrifying performance
She beat Melbourne captain Kate Hore (98) and North Melbourne superstar Jasmine Garner (97) to the milestone.
Starting her career at Fremantle in the inaugural AFLW season in 2017, Houghton moved to Port ahead of their entry into the competition in 2022.
“I’m still a bit speechless,” Houghton said.
“I was getting a little bit frustrated with myself, missed a few.
“‘Juzzy’ (Mules-Robinson) with her composure, we practise a lot of those kicks throughout the year, so couldn’t write it better.”
Trailing by 12 points at quarter-time, the Power made up for their slow start by piling on 6.2 to 0.1 in the second term to suddenly lead by 25 points at the main break.
Port’s electrifying performance would have been bittersweet, with the Power to miss the top eight after making a superb run to the preliminary final last year.
The Power spoiled the retirement party for Aliesha Newman, an inaugural AFLW game-breaker who played for Melbourne, Collingwood and Sydney, as well as the Giants.
The Giants’ Aliesha Newman has retired after a distinguished AFLW career. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
Houghton paid tribute to Newman, a fellow Indigenous AFLW player.
“Really special to be able to play out her last game as well with the history we have together,” Houghton said.
Port end their 2025 campaign with a 6-6 record, while the injury-hit Giants slumped to 2-10.
AAP
