THE LAST game Lauren Arnell and Ange Foley played at Adelaide Oval was as opponents in the 2021 Grand Final.
Friday night's inaugural AFLW Showdown will see the pair join forces for Port Adelaide – Arnell having graduated from Brisbane forward to senior coach and Foley as vice-captain – aiming to take down cross-town rival Adelaide.
Arnell had previously revealed to Credit to the Girls podcast she had told Foley "it's a long way from primary school in Sunbury" before the opening bounce of that season decider.
"The last time we were on Adelaide Oval – apart from tonight (training) – we were lining up in that Grand Final in 2021," Foley told the podcast.
NO HATE, BUT A LOT OF HEAT Phillips bracing for red-hot Showdown
"Yes, she said that to me. We both are from Sunbury (in Melbourne's north-western outskirts) and did some schooling there. I lived in Sunbury for six or seven years growing up before moving to Shepparton, so we did bump into each other.
"I love the way Loz goes about it. She's a teacher, she's a player and she's now a coach. She brings enjoyment, absolute passion for the game. She's one who feeds all the girls who are here to learn and get better.
"So far, I've just absolutely loved being coached by Loz. I think she's got a real understanding of what it's like to be an AFLW player. Then to be able to be the first AFLW player to coach, I think that's a real asset."
EPISODE GUIDE
0:50 – Build up to the Showdown
3:45 – Returning from a torn ACL
6:00 – Port Adelaide's first AFLW season
7:16 – The Power's first win
8:45 – Foley's on-field teaching
11:20 – Throwing back to primary school
13:37 – An insight into Adelaide's tactics
15:33 – How the AFLW program has been embraced by Port Adelaide fans
