LAUREN Arnell will not fault the effort her "inaugurals" brought to Port Adelaide's first AFLW match - a 12-point loss to West Coast in Perth at Lathlain Park on Saturday.
"They had a red-hot crack," Arnell said.
And Arnell will not be short of notes to work at the team review to explain why this effort was not rewarded with four AFLW premiership points, despite seemingly having a grip on this reward with an 11-point lead at three quarter-time.
"We lost contested possession (during the last quarter) - and we gave away nine free kicks," Arnell said. "We also turned the ball over in positions where you are asking to be scored against.
"Nine free kicks in a quarter - in 17-minute quarters of W - is more than likely going to mean a loss."
Port Adelaide's newest team knows how to play Port Adelaide football.
"I hope our Port Adelaide people saw the football we are capable of," Arnell said. "We were definitely in a winning position at three quarter-time.
"We thought ... the effort is there," added Arnell, who was admiring key performance indicators that declared Port Adelaide was winning on the contested-ball barometer and was harassing the West Coast players with a plus-36 count on tackles.
"There were some positive signs, but footy also teaches you some pretty harsh lessons: Stick to what you are good at. We probably gave a bit away in that last quarter.
"When you are getting beaten at contested possession ...
"We went into our shells and moved away from what put us in a really strong position at three quarter-time.
"We do learn some positive lessons out of that (result) - about composure, basics of what to do under pressure. You can talk about it all pre-season, but until you live it in round one the lessons are there to be learned (the hard way).
"We had eight debutants (learn those lessons) ... and it is nice for them to get some experience under the belt.
"They will stick together and take plenty out of today."
The notable individuals in this historic game were Abbey Dowrick, who finished with 21 disposals, and Brisbane recruit Maria Moloney, along with former Fremantle star Gemma Houghton.
"Abbey, 19 years old; overlooked in her draft year and we are rapt to have her as a Port Adelaide player," Arnell said. "She fits the mould of a Port Adelaide footballer.
"Maria Moloney has been waiting in the wings in a Brisbane Lions premiership squad to get in the midfield. She had a lot to show today.
"Gemma (Houghton) has had a strong pre-season and she was able to show some of that today.
"(Vice-captain) Ange Foley got us going in the third term. Justine Mules played a Justine Mules game - high pressure, that spark and relentless pressure.
"We have a really great group of people. As disappointed as we are right now by the loss, we have faith ... I'll back this group to round two.
"I am really excited to see how quickly we can get better."
Port Adelaide will make its homestand start at Alberton Oval next Saturday, hosting the Western Bulldogs.
Captain Erin Phillips will need to be tested after suffering a corked leg early in the match against West Coast while playing as a midfielder.
"She will be right," Arnell said. "She is a Port Adelaide person who will never give up."
Arnell on Saturday became the first AFLW player to mentor a team as its senior coach.
"I have not put a lot of thought into myself this week," she said. "My job is about my players so that is where my energy goes. That is easy when you have a wonderful group of people at a wonderful football club. We will keep tracking and take as much as we can out of today."
Chairman David Koch and a group of club directors were present at Lathlain Park - along with a strong count of Port Adelaide fans.
"We had amazing representation from the Port Adelaide faithful today," Arnell said. "We certainly felt that out there."
