Round 13 Half-Time Interview: Culture First — And We Made Finals

President Kerry Ashbrook speaks at half-time during the Premier B Seniors Round 13 match, 26 July 2025

 Watch the full halftime interview with President Kerry Ashbrook and Kirra Johnston

Six months ago, at half-time in Round 13 at JL Murphy Reserve, no one at the Port Melbourne Chargers was talking about finals with absolute certainty.

At that point in the season, the focus was still firmly where it had been from day one: build the club properly. Culture first. People first. Belonging first.

Our Senior Premier B Women delivered more than just a dominant 63-point win, defeating Marcellin convincingly, the day also delivered perspective.

On a day that marked the final home doubleheader of the season, the Chargers gathered players, families, juniors, supporters and sponsors. They were also joined by their Foundation Partner, Salta and their family, Sam, Carman and Ava at JL Murphy Reserve. It was time to reflect, reset and look ahead.

At halftime, President Kerry Ashbrook spoke candidly about where the club started, where it’s landed, and why culture — not finals — has always been the real measure of success. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, we can say it plainly: we did make finals. At the time of this half-time interview, we weren't locked in. This was a moment of reflection, not prediction.

“Finals weren’t on the list”

When asked at half-time whether finals had been part of the original vision, the answer was unequivocal: no.

The 2025 season was about establishing a brand-new women’s football club — governance, culture, coaching alignment, player care, and connection to juniors and pathway clubs. Finals were never the KPI.

That context is important. Many clubs talk about culture after success. The Port Chargers Committee, Coaches and Player Leadership Team talked about culture first.

Culture built early shows up later

What’s clear looking back is that the cultural groundwork laid from the very beginning in preseason — through player and coach workshops, leadership sessions, and a deliberate focus by our coaches on individuals — translated into performance as the season unfolded.

By Round 13:

• confidence was visible

• connection was tangible

• juniors were integrated into match day

• players felt known, supported, and valued

Those things don’t guarantee finals. But they make them possible.

The off-field support that changed everything

The interview also acknowledged something critical to the club’s trajectory: early backing.

With Salta committing as foundation partner before Round 1, the club was able to focus on culture, football and individuals — not survival. That critical partnership removed pressure, accelerated professionalism, and allowed the Port Chargers to build deliberately instead of reactively.

Six months on, that decision still stands out as a defining moment. Our club cannot thank Sam, Carmen and Salta Property enough for their support.

Ten years of women’s football — and a future secured

The conversation also looked back recognising the ten years since Port Melbourne’s first senior women’s premiership and the decade of work that followed:

• launching Port Colt Junior Girls’ football

• pathway teams

• VFLW connections

• committee members and players who have worn every one of these jumpers along the way

Those women didn’t just create history — they created the conditions for a new club to succeed.

This was the mindset before finals were guaranteed. This was the language before our on field success was confirmed. And it reinforces the point that still matters most:

Finals were the outcome. Culture was the cause.

An open invitation

Kerry’s message to women and girls considering football was simple and unfiltered:

“Just come down. Meet the players. Meet the coaches. Don’t take my word for it.”

The Chargers include women who had never played football before, alongside others returning to the game later in life. There’s no prerequisite experience, no expectation to “fit a type”, and no barrier based on age or background.

“This club is about loving football again,” Kerry said. “Come and experience the community, the culture and the welcome for yourself.”

Listen or watch the half time interview with Club President Kerry Ashbrook

Looking back — and forward

Taking the time to publish this interview now, in January 2026, is a tribute to every single person that made our inaugural season possible. It is preserving not only the history of our 2025 season, but all of those that came before.