Lauren Arnell says her playing group is excited for their first official hit-out at Alberton. Image: AFL Photos.

A NEW Port Adelaide team. Old Port Adelaide values.

Lauren Arnell is building the reputation of Port Adelaide's first AFLW team to the blueprint left by Port Adelaide teams since foundation in 1870 and since calling Alberton Oval home in 1880.

Arnell will present Port Adelaide's newest senior team at Alberton Oval on Saturday afternoon for the round two clash with the Western Bulldogs (1.10pm start) with the oldest themes in Port Adelaide football.

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"There is a huge history here, huge history," said Arnell on the eve of Port Adelaide's senior women's team being introduced at the first game played for national league points at Alberton Oval.

"We have always talked in our program around the 'Port Adelaide way'. And being hard working, being humble, being genuine, being authentic.

"We embrace the history, the rich history. Our group has embraced that really strongly. We are aware of our chance to create new history with an AFLW program. We are doing that really well - and (on Saturday) our group is looking forward to showing on field what they are about.

"I can guarantee we will play hard Port Adelaide football ... and we will make sure we continue to do that.

"Talk to anyone in our group, ask them how they want to be known as a team. That is our starting point. Every single team we play against this year will know they had to earn any win or any goal against Port Adelaide. That is a special part of our group. It is something we treasure.

"(We want to be) a really hard team to play against. I have no doubt that every single person who watched our game last week (against West Coast in Perth) saw that. 

"We just have to do it for four quarters ..."

08:13

Lauren Arnell press conference - 2 September 2022 | PTV

Lauren Arnell speaks to the media.

Port Adelaide's inaugural AFLW team made a strong impression on the fully expanded competition at the weekend with a true blue-collar performance against West Coast at Lathlain Park in Perth. Now the first Port Adelaide AFLW team to play for premiership points on Alberton Oval has to leave the right impression on the club's faithful fans.

"The group is really excited - and any Port Adelaide person watching our game in round one could see that Port Adelaide brand of footy. We will back ourselves in to produce that at Alberton," Arnell said.

First game in Port Adelaide "herstory" gave the inaugural AFLW squad - with all 30 travelling to Perth at the weekend - an emotional energy.

First game at Port Adelaide's 142-year-old spiritual home - with all its latest amendments for AFLW, including a revamped Fos Williams Stand - brings another level of power and emotion.

"And anyone who is near Alberton this week can feel the real buzz, particularly today - the day before the game," Arnell said. "There is a lot happening (with last-minute preparations) for the venue. Interacting with Port Adelaide people throughout the week, there is a true excitement for a return to Alberton with our very first AFLW home game.

"Alberton Oval looks amazing. To keep the look and feel of the heritage-listed grandstand is incredible work. We are really grateful to a lot of people who have been working behind the scenes to make this happen. Anyone who comes to Alberton to play will feel AFLW is front and centre here.

"We know Port Adelaide fans are loud and passionate. I am so much looking forward to hearing that at Alberton Oval. Them getting behind every bump, every goal. It is going to be unreal. The Never Tear Us Apart pre-game gives me shivers - and all of our group has watched a number of the men's games and they will hold (the anthem) dearly as well."

The excitement was palpable during Port Adelaide's AFLW debut in WA. Image: AFL Photos.

Port Adelaide faces a Western Bulldogs team that has lived up to its own club traditions, some built well before being part of the first AFLW series in 2017.

"The Doggies are a similar team to us, they just have had longer together," Arnell said. "They are really well led by Ellie Blackburn in the middle.

"They like to move the ball really quick. All of our people who come to watch the game tomorrow are going to expect some pretty fast footy. They have a similar way - they like to move the ball really nicely by foot and they are good at it. We are looking forward to a real challenge tomorrow."

Port Adelaide's 12-point loss to West Coast - after leading by 11 points at three quarter-time - leaves Arnell's playing group in a speed-learning class.

"There is so much learning for us in that very first game," Arnell said. "From a young group's perspective, you learn very quickly that despite a really strong winning position at three quarter-time, the game does not win itself. You have to play four quarters. We are really confident in the way the group has responded - and how we have reviewed that game."

There also are questions left by Port Adelaide handing West Coast nine free kicks in the last term on Saturday.

"We take responsibility. If your team is giving away that many free kicks in a quarter, you are asking for trouble," said Arnell of the term in which West Coast over-ran Port Adelaide with a four-goal blitz.

"There are elements of that which we can control - and we have addressed that. On field, we are going to play exceptionally hard footy - and fair footy."

Erin Phillips has been cleared to play at Alberton this weekend after suffering a cork in Round 1. Image: AFL Photos.

Arnell will name the first line-up for Alberton on Friday evening. Captain Erin Phillips, who suffered a corked leg in the early minutes of the second term, is a confirmed starter.

"She is good, good to go," Arnell said. "The corky from the tripping incident early in that second quarter ... she is a professional athlete who knows what is required for round two. And she has done that."

Phillips will be part of a midfield that is developing a new hero for the Port Adelaide fans - Maria Moloney.

"Maria is the epitome of resilience - and team," Arnell said of her former Brisbane team-mate and now key pillar in the "inaugurals". "She sets a standard. She did that last week on field. Every day she sets a standard off field. She is professional in every sense. I was fortunate enough to play alongside her at Brisbane. I knew she would be important in building culture at our club.

"To give Maria the opportunity to perform - and she has been preparing for this opportunity for years (while sitting in reserve at Brisbane) - is another beautiful thing about AFLW expansion. There are quality players ready to go but are sitting in the middle or back end of AFLW lists. Our club has been able to provide a high-level athlete with wonderful culture and opportunity to perform - and that is what she is doing."