PORT Adelaide has notched an early win over its fierce crosstown rivals Adelaide in the AFLW's new priority signing period (PSP), scoring a commitment to sign the League's former leading goalkicker Ash Woodland.
Womens.afl understands Woodland officially informed the Power of her intentions to join the club ahead of Wednesday's opening day of the PSP, in a significant boost for the expansion side.
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The supremely talented 24-year-old is likely to be the second of Port Adelaide's designated three PSP recruits, with Fremantle's 2021 All-Australian defender Janelle Cuthbertson expected to also land at Alberton in the coming days.
Woodland played an integral role in the Crows claiming the 2022 premiership, kicking 21 goals from 12 games in that season to claim both the League's leading goalkicker award and be named as a first-time All-Australian.
She backed it up with a further 14 majors from 13 games last season, finishing third in the AFLW's goalkicking tally behind Brisbane's Jesse Wardlaw (22 goals) and Melbourne premiership player Kate Hore (17 goals).
Woodland's defection to Port Adelaide means three of the AFLW's last four leading goalkickers are all expected to shift to new clubs in this year's player movement window, with Wardlaw also on the cusp of joining St Kilda.
As revealed by womens.afl on Tuesday, St Kilda fan favourite Caitlin Greiser – the League's leading goalkicker in the 2020 season – is also likely to move, having attracted the attentions of Richmond.
Following the loss of Woodland to Port Adelaide, it's tipped that Adelaide will land Leah Cutting from St Kilda and Jess Allan from Greater Western Sydney as it looks to replenish its playing group.
