AFLW round 1: Ash Saint prepares to cross SA footy divide in Showdown

Ash Saint barracked for Port Adelaide, became a Crow and then crossed South Australia’s AFLW divide to return to her roots — and she’s expecting some feedback from her ex-teammates in this weekend’s Showdown.

The Showdown tests loyalties at the best of times — let alone within the one household.

For Crow-turned-Power forward Ash Saint (nee Woodland), the return to the teal has been a throwback to her childhood roots.

But mum Aly will switch allegiances from her beloved Adelaide to Port Adelaide in support of her daughter despite being “Crows through and through and Dad (Steve) Port through and through”.

Saint, 24, shifted from Adelaide to the Power during the off-season and said the move had brought her full-circle after days as a schoolgirl wearing her Port Adelaide jumper — signed by Brownlow medallist Gavin Wanganeen, no less — under her school uniform.

Ashleigh Saint celebrates a goal for Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I never would have thought I'd be wearing the Crows colours – mum had my sister and I decked out in ’97 and ’98, when they won the premiership, and then we were old enough to work out what it was, we followed our dad’s footsteps and then I was a Port supporter,” Saint said on the eve of the AFL Women’s season.

“I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for them – I’m so excited to be at Port.”

Saint, who was married in April, said despite her Crows connection, Alyson “was happy” with her move to Alberton.

“Mum knew the decision that I had to make and she just wanted me to be happy wherever I played and enjoying my footy,” she said.

“I’ve got her all the stuff decked out, so she has to wear her Port stuff (on Saturday). She’ll go for me.”

Port Adelaide AFL Women's forward Ashleigh Saint (nee Woodland) pictured in her Port Adelaide jumper as a child.

The season six premiership player, who was also the league’s leading goalkicker and All-Australian in the first season of 2022, has been given nowhere to hide, facing her former side in round 1.

“I’m really excited get it over and done with,” she laughed.

“It’s going to be really big for SA, plus the fact there’s a bye round for the AFL.

“Just get it out of the way, make it a big thing. I’m more excited than anything, because I’ve trained on Chelsea Biddell, Sarah Allen – I’m not scared in that sense. I think it’ll be a lot of fun. But definitely going out there to beat them.”

She is ready for what will likely be “a lot of sledges”, and welcomed the clash being scheduled at Norwood despite Adelaide Oval being vacant.

“People get more excited for the Showdown sometimes than the finals,” Saint said.

“Norwood, a packed crowd ... Adelaide Oval would be great, I love playing there, but for the local fans, Norwood will be really good for that.”

Originally published as AFLW round 1: Ash Saint prepares to cross SA footy divide in Showdown