Adelaide will feature a turbo-charged midfield on Sunday as last year’s No.8 draft pick, Nikki Gore, makes her AFLW debut in front of a home crowd at Unley Oval.
The 18-year-old’s inclusion was the only change to the line-up which handed the previously undefeated North Melbourne its first loss of the season last week.
She comes in for Irish recruit Ailish Considine who has been named as an emergency alongside fellow rookie Maisie Nankivell.
Gore, affectionately known as ‘Turbo’, has been on the cuff of making her debut all season.
REWARD: Nikki becomes a Crow
Consistent performances for South Adelaide in the SANFLW did not go unnoticed by Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke, who broke the news to the young Crow about her debut.
“Doc called me on my way home from training and said my hard work had given me the reward of an AFLW debut,” Gore told AFC Media.
“I’ve been getting phone calls every Wednesday to find out if I’m in or not so to hear that I’m actually going to play was crazy – I’m so stoked.
“Doc said my performances and consistency in the SANFLW had helped me get in to the side.”
Gore said she could not wait to pull on the tricolours alongside her teammates, especially long-term friend Danielle Ponter.
“We’ve known each other for over three years now – I still remember our first camp together, she was all shy and in her shell,” she said.
“It’s been awesome to see her grow in this AFLW system and really come out of her shell and play awesome football – it’ll be so cool to run out with her.
“We’ve got such a fantastic group – it really is a family… I couldn’t ask for a better team.”
RISING STAR: Ponter's big moment
The midfielder said her game has developed in leaps and bounds since arriving at the Club last November.
“I’ve improved on basically everything… Doc’s an awesome coach and I’ve learnt so much from him” she said.
“Working with Flip [Erin Phillips] in the midfield has been amazing too, I’ve been working on my body work in the contest, which has really helped.
Making her league debut is one thing, but knowing she will do it in front of her family and friends at home was the icing on the cake.
“I’m very, very excited to do it in front of family and friends,” she said.
“I was in the car in the driveway when I got the call from Doc about debuting so I walked straight inside to tell mum – she was over the moon.
“My twin, Amy, is coming home from Newcastle, where she’s been living for her surfing commitments, to watch the game too so I’m thrilled to get to see her – it’s been a while.
“When I first told her, she said how proud she was and that she just couldn’t wait to come and watch me play.”
The Crows face the Giants on Sunday at Unley Oval.
Entry is free, with the first bounce at 1.35pm ACDT.
IN
Nikki Gore
OUT
Ailish Considine
