Sam Virgo to coach Port Adelaide AFLW team during Lauren Arnell’s parental leave

Port Adelaide has announced its plan for when coach Lauren Arnell takes parental leave with a former AFLW captain set to lead the Power.

Port Adelaide AFLW assistant coach Sam Virgo. Credit Brooke Bowering

Former Gold Coast captain Sam Virgo will stand-in as Port Adelaide’s AFLW coach while Lauren Arnell is on parental leave.

Arnell and wife Lexi are due to welcome their first child in mid-January before the coach returns to her role ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Virgo, who joined the Power as an assistant 10 months ago, was set to take on extra responsibility until at least the start of pre-season next year.

Arnell starts her parental leave in December.

“Sam has shown dedication and commitment to our playing group and has developed strong relationships within the program in a short space of time,” Arnell said.

“She is a respected coach and leader and I am confident the program will be in capable hands with her while I take a break.”

Port Adelaide AFLW coach Lauren Arnell and partner Lexi Edwards. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Sam Virgo will take the reins while Arnell is on parental leave. Picture: Jerad Williams

Virgo played 29 games for Brisbane and Gold Coast from 2017-2021, including as a teammate of Arnell’s at the Lions in 2019.

She was the Suns’ inaugural co-captain, then later coached Queensland’s boys at the under-17 national championships.

Virgo was also on the men’s division one coaching panel at Queensland club Coorparoo in 2021-22.

The Power also announced AFLW assistant Daniel Caire and development mentor Dave Reynolds would be departing, while Cam Sutcliffe would join the club’s men’s program.

Glenelg SANFLW assistant coach Troy Wilkey will replace Reynolds.

As well as looking for fresh AFLW assistants, the Power is seeking a new women’s football boss after Juliet Haslam’s resignation on Wednesday for personal reasons.