AFLW star Erin Phillips leaves Adelaide for Port Adelaide

Erin Phillips, the AFLW’s most decorated player, has confirmed she is leaving Adelaide to join Port Adelaide.

Phillips, a dual AFLW best and fairest and triple premiership player, will play for Port in their inaugural season.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to have been a part of the most successful AFLW club to date,” Phillips said in a statement on Wednesday. “I obviously have great memories and friendships from my time at Adelaide which I will cherish forever.

“But as a kid growing up all I wanted was to be like dad and play football for the Port Adelaide Football Club.

“Port Adelaide feels like home to me. It’s where I spent a lot of my childhood.

Erin Phillips will play for Port Adelaide next season. Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“It was always my dream to be able to represent the club and add to its incredible history, and I am beyond thrilled to finally get that chance and play a role in building this team from the ground up.”

Phillips’ father Greg has a rich history at Port, where he is an eight-time premiership player in the SANFL and a club captain.

Erin Phillips had long pledged to join Port for their first AFLW season and leaves the Crows after six seasons.

Port’s AFLW head of football Juliet Haslam said luring Phillips was a coup for the expansion club.

“Erin is a brilliant player and more importantly a fantastic person,” Haslam said. “Erin’s character, leadership and experience makes her an ideal first signing.

“She knows what it takes to be successful in elite sport and in particular in the AFLW having won just about every accolade from a team and personal perspective.

Phillips was a key in Adelaide winning their third flag this season with the Crows “disappointed” at her decision to leave, Adelaide’s AFLW head of football Phil Harper said.

“As a footballer Erin has been the best player of her generation but equally she is a great person,” he said. “Her contribution to our club, as well as women’s football here in South Australia and nationally, has been significant.

“In terms of player retention … we have done all we possibly can.”