Arnell Slams Collingwood's AFLW Standard After Goal-less Loss
Former AFLW player and coach Lauren Arnell has heavily criticised the Collingwood Magpies following their 48-point defeat to Port Adelaide on Friday night, where the team failed to kick a single goal. The loss marks the club's 10th defeat out of 11 matches this season, leaving them at the bottom of the ladder alongside St Kilda and Essendon.
Speaking on ABC Radio, Arnell argued that heavy defensive coaching tactics stifle scoring and fail to grow the game. She pointed to Collingwood head coach Sam Wright's strategy of deploying extra players behind the ball as detrimental to the team's offense, particularly given the challenges of 16-a-side matches played in open-air venues.
The scathing assessment comes amid broader internal turmoil at the club. Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly recently fronted the playing group following reports of player unrest, later telling media that he sometimes wondered if becoming a foundation AFLW club in 2017 was a mistake. Arnell suggested Kelly's remarks demonstrated a disconnect between the club's executive and its players.
The Magpies face a potential player exodus during the upcoming December trade period. Captain Ruby Schleicher has already confirmed plans to return to Western Australia, while several other high-profile players remain out of contract at the end of the season.
