The pain that drove Power star recruit Gemma Houghton into a fresh start at Alberton

Star recruit Gemma Houghton has revealed the private pain behind her decision to join the Power.

Port' Adelaide’s star new forward, Gemma Houghton, pictured at Alberton ahead of the Power’s first AFLW training session. Picture: Tom Huntley

When Port Adelaide’s star recruit Gemma Houghton runs onto Alberton Oval on Wednesday night for the Power’s historic first AFLW training session, she will look down at her wrist first.

There, just at the base of her thumb, is a small tattoo of an anchor.

It’s one of many artworks that cover her body, but this one is special because it reminds her not only of her journey into football – which began at Fremantle in 2017 – but now also reminds her of the future and the fresh start she’s enjoying at Port.

But most importantly, the anchor reminds her of best friend and tattoo artist, Nicholas Duff, who died in July last year, after a battle with mental health.

Houghton, carried her grief at losing Duff onto the football field for the 2022 season, struggling to enjoy playing the game she once loved.

Gemma Houghton at Alberton Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley

Houghton in action for the Dockers in March this year. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

“(Nicholas) was quite open about his struggles and his mental health and the last two months, I spent almost every day speaking to him, phone call after phone call,” she said.

“And unfortunately, one day I tried to call him and went around to his house and it was too late. “That shook my entire world and I probably didn’t know how to deal with it, I’ve never lost someone as close to me as him.

“I just felt like I couldn’t be the player that the team knew me to be and I couldn’t really switch on mentally.

“I caught myself at training and in games just switched off and I really lost passion and motivation, which is unlike my character and looking back on the (2022) season, I wish … I was in a better position to help the team.

“That was quite upsetting, knowing that I couldn’t give my all to them, but they were so understanding and so supportive of what I was going through.”

Port's star recruit, former Fremantle forward, Gemma Houghton, pictured in her new colours at Alberton. Picture: Tom Huntley

So the 28-year-old, two-time All-Australian forward, joined the Power in the off-season after 46 games and 40 goals across six seasons for the Dockers.

Houghton, who this week also started a new job in the Power’s Indigenous Community Programs, relocated to Adelaide last week; the first time she’s lived anywhere but in Perth.

She’s looking forward to showing Power supporters what has made her one of the most promising forwards in the game.

“Coming over here is a fresh start and it’s a way I can continue to make (Nicholas) proud, but also get myself back and fall in love with the game again,” she said.

She said Port was the perfect fit.

“In this club we are surrounded by strong women … I’m so excited to be a part of this journey and I can’t wait to hit the ground running with the girls and see what we can do in this in our first year.”

Houghton is looking forward to her seventh season in the AFLW, and a new start at Port Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley

Houghton said excitement was high ahead of the Power’s first women’s training session.

“It’s all new … there are a few girls who have come into SA to play and I’m really looking forward to see the bond that we can create on the field and see the impact we can have together as a team,” she said.

“I just want to be able to step on the field, whether it’s at training or in games, and know that I can fully give myself in terms of my ability and performance, physically and mentally, and that’s what I’m really looking forward to.

“I feel like a weight’s been lifted off me by already being here, so I’m excited to get back on the track and be the best teammate that I can for these girls in this club.”

And if she needed any added motivation to get her through the gruelling AFLW pre-season ahead, no doubt, the little anchor on her wrist will do just that.

* If you or somebody you know needs help, call Lifeline on 1311 14, or Beyond Blue is at beyondblue.org.au

Originally published as The pain that drove Power star recruit Gemma Houghton into a fresh start at Alberton