PORT Adelaide has made an outstanding start to 2026, winning its first match under new coach Glenn Strachan and spoiling Fremantle's opening day at its new home ground with a 21-point win on Sunday. 

The Power made a statement at Cockburn ARC Oval as they look to return to finals this season, overpowering the Dockers in a defensive masterclass and extending their lead at every change to win 6.5 (41) to 2.8 (20). 

DOCKERS v POWER Full match coverage and stats

They were tougher in the contest, more efficient with their ball use, and went the distance against a Freo team that couldn't mount a meaningful charge under the Power's tackling pressure and defensive organisation. 

Defender Teagan Germech was outstanding, holding the Power backline together and then launching her team into defence with 19 disposals and a massive 16 intercept possessions. 

Forwards Lauren Young and Gemma Houghton combined for 11 marks and were powerful inside 50, while midfielder Abbey Dowrick took the fight up to the Dockers' midfield stars with 23 disposals and an equal game-high seven clearances.  

Matilda Scholz and Mim Strom went head-to-head in an entertaining ruck battle, with Scholz growing in stature as the game went on to take the points after undergoing a concussion test during the first half but returning.  

"I couldn’t have asked for much more from them, to be honest," Strachan said after his first win as coach. 

"Every coach in round one is nervous, even coaches who have been in the League for 10-plus years would be nervous. But I think nerves are just a part of a new football season. 

"It's nice now to be able to get that first one under our belt and I feel pretty confident now with what we're doing."

Fremantle had plenty of opportunities early to make a fast start, dominating through the middle and going inside 50 on 11 occasions but kicking a wasteful 0.4  

The Power, meanwhile, made the most of fewer opportunities, slinging from half-back and kicking their first goal through Katelyn Pope after a crunching tackle from Ebony O'Dea in the midfield. 

The visitors were 10 points clear early in the second term when Dowrick gathered inside 50, took a sidestep and converted on the run from 35, with former Docker Houghton growing in influence. 

Scholz left the ground after a head knock but was able to return, with the Power entering half-time with an 11-point lead and all the momentum after keeping the Dockers goalless for a half for the first time since 2024.

They kept that momentum rolling in the third, extending their lead to 23 points after back-to-back goals to Ashleigh Woodland and Emily Elkington in her club debut just five days after being signed. 

Fremantle made the adjustments it needed, however, and was able to pick out marking targets to finally hit the scoreboard through veteran Hayley Miller. It built momentum and had another goal through Matilda Banfield to cut the margin to 17 points at the final change.  

The Dockers looked exhausted in the final term, however, and continued to be outworked by the Power, who kicked the only goal of the final term through Indy Tahau to seal the win and make a brilliant start to 2026. 

Fremantle coach Lisa Webb said the team was disappointed to lose on an historic day for the club at its new home ground, and especially with the style of defeat. 

"To lose in stoppage and contest the way that we did is certainly not the way for us," Webb said. 

"It was just our composure. We didn't handle their pressure the way that we would have liked. 

"I thought their midfield did a terrific job of putting pressure on, and when we were out and able to handball or kick we just turned it over."

Germech halts Freo forwards 
There was a period through the first half where it seemed every time the Dockers went forward, their efforts were thwarted by Power defender Teagan Germech. Of Germech's 10 disposals up to half-time, nine of them came from intercepts, with the 23-year-old positioning perfectly to roll off her opponent. Port used a spare player in defence for long periods and it suited Germech's game perfectly, with the former Greater Western Sydney defender setting up the Power's match-winning lead.  

Small forward takes her Power chance 
Former West Coast goalkicker Emily Elkington was only added to the Power's list this week as an injury replacement player for Caitlin Wendland, and she was thrown straight into the action on Sunday. The 157cm forward had her moment early in the third quarter when she was held at a forward 50 stoppage, earning a free kick and converting her set shot, with teammates racing in to celebrate a fantastic story. A fierce competitor and hard tackler, Elkington had limited opportunities as the Power talls drew the football, but she only needed one to capitalise. 

Next up
The Power play their first home game for the season next Sunday at their Alberton base, where they have a 9-4 record over the past two seasons, hosting Hawthorn. Fremantle travels to take on Collingwood at Victoria Park, playing the Magpies for the first time since round two, 2023.

FREMANTLE                  0.4    0.4    2.5    2.8 (20)
PORT ADELAIDE           1.2    2.3    5.4    6.5 (41)

GOALS
Fremantle: Banfield, Miller 
Port Adelaide: Dowrick, Elkington, Pope, Tahau, Woodland, Young

BEST 
Fremantle: Bowers, Newton, McCarthy, Strom 
Port Adelaide: Germech, Dowrick, Young, Houghton, Woodland 

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Port Adelaide: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 2514 at Cockburn ARC Oval