Port’s Houghton sidelined after op

PORT Adelaide’s star key forward, Gemma Houghton, will be sidelined for up to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on her right ankle.

The two-time All-Australian, who arrived at Alberton from Fremantle in the off-season, injured her ankle in the second quarter of Saturday’s round 2, 19-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.

According to the club, her ankle became caught underneath her during a tackle, but she played out the game after treatment on the bench.

Scans revealed a syndesmosis injury requiring surgery, which was successfully conducted on Tuesday evening.

It’s expected she’ll be sidelined for five to eight weeks, with optimism she might be back for round 7’s clash with Hawthorn, but is most likely to miss round 6’s historic first Women’s Showdown at the Adelaide Oval on September 30.

It’s devastating news for the 28-year-old (pictured), who came to the Power hoping to reignite her footy.

Houghton had previously said that her season six form had been impacted by a personal off-field tragedy, which she wanted to now put behind her.

“Coming over here is a fresh start … also to get myself back and fall in love with the game again,” she said. “I’m so excited to be a part of this (Port Adelaide) journey.”

Houghton’s football resurgence had already been rewarded when she was voted into the side’s leadership group, alongside captain Erin Phillips, last month.

After Port headed into its round 2 game against the Doggies with an unchanged lineup, coach Lauren Arnell will now be forced to make at least one change, as the side hunts for its inaugural AFLW win.

The loss of Houghton will leave a sizeable hole in the Power’s forward line: the 179cm forward has kicked two goals from two games – including Port’s only major against the Bulldogs last Saturday.

But her absence leaves the door open for the likes of Yasmin Duursma (sister of Power AFL player Xavier) or Tessa Doumanis to make their AFLW debut.