AFLW star Erin Phillips has revealed she is leaving Adelaide to join Port Adelaide.
The dual best and fairest winner and triple-premiership player will play for expansion club Port in its inaugural season starting later this year.
The 36-year-old admitted it was a difficult decision to leave the Crows, where she was a member of its inaugural team and co-captain for the first four seasons of the competition.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to have been a part of the most successful AFLW club to date,” Phillips said.
“I obviously have great memories and friendships from my time at Adelaide, which I will cherish forever.
“But as a kid growing up, all I wanted was to be like Dad and play football for the Port Adelaide Football Club.
Phillips has twice won the highest individual honour as the league’s best and fairest player to go with three premierships with the Crows in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
She was named best on ground in Adelaide’s 2017 and 2019 grand final wins.
‘It was always my dream’
Her father, Greg Phillips, is an eight-time premiership player with Port Adelaide in the SANFL, playing 343 games for Port Adelaide between 1976 and 1993.
He was also captain of the side from 1991 to 1993.
Erin said she had always wanted to represent the football club that her father played for.
“It was always my dream to be able to represent the club and add to its incredible history, and I am beyond thrilled to finally get that chance and play a role in building this team from the ground up,” she said.
‘Best player of her generation’
Often regarded as one of the best players in the history of the AFLW competition, Phillips leaves the Crows after playing 46 games and kicking 50 goals.
Crows AFLW Head of Football Phil Harper said the club was disappointed to lose her.
“As a footballer, Erin has been the best player of her generation but equally she is a great person,” Harper said.
“Her contribution to our club, as well as women’s football here in South Australia and nationally, has been significant and she has helped create a legacy from which many young girls and women will benefit.
“We wish Erin, her wife Tracy and their family all the best for the future and thank them for helping make our club a better place.”
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
