Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Arnell criticises Collingwood after 48-point AFLW loss
Collingwood lost to Port Adelaide by 48 points on Friday night, failing to score a goal.
It was the Magpies’ 10th loss in 11 games this season.
Former AFLW player and coach Lauren Arnell said the performance fell below the standard expected at this stage of the competition.
She criticised coach Sam Wright’s defensive approach, saying teams need attacking play and goals to help grow the women’s game.
The criticism comes amid reported player unrest and concerns about Collingwood’s women’s program; CEO Craig Kelly has ruled out an independent review.
Captain Ruby Schleicher will leave Collingwood at the end of the season.
Former AFLW player and coach Lauren Arnell criticised Collingwood after the club lost to Port Adelaide by 48 points without scoring a goal.
The defeat was Collingwood’s 10th loss in 11 games this season.
Arnell said the standard of play fell short of what should be expected and argued that defensive tactics were limiting scoring.
She said coaches have a responsibility to help grow the game and “put on a show.”
Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly recently addressed the playing group amid reports of player unrest and concerns about the women’s program.
- Who
- Lauren Arnell criticised Collingwood. The Magpies lost to Port Adelaide.
- What
- Collingwood lost by 48 points and did not score a goal.
- When
- Friday night. The article was published on October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Arnell said Collingwood’s standard of play was below expectations and criticised its defensive approach.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Arnell said her team beat Collingwood at Alberton.
Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly addressed the AFLW playing group amid reports of player unrest and concerns about the program.
Collingwood lost to Port Adelaide by 48 points without scoring a goal.
- Defeat
- 48 points
- Goals scored
- 0
- Season record
- 10 losses in 11 games
- Coach
- Sam Wright
- Arnell's role
- Former AFLW player and coach
What people are saying
Overall, it was not the best standard of AFLW football that we would expect to see at this point of season 11.
we have a responsibility if you're coaching to grow the game and put on a show.
I'm a firm non-believer in heavy defensive systems for all of those reasons, not just because you can't score