THIRD time lucky? In the build-up to Port Adelaide's third AFLW match, senior coach Lauren Arnell is not relying on omens for her side to find their "first W in W".

Arnell expects a strong work ethic, as seen on the training track at Alberton this week - and the eagerness of her 30-player squad to learn quickly - to be more relevant in Sunday's away clash with Carlton at Ikon Park.

"We can talk about culture. We can show the culture we are about," said Arnell who wants actions to mirror her team's ambitions to live the "Port Adelaide way".

Challenged by losses to West Coast and the Western Bulldogs in the opening two rounds and untimely injuries to key players, Arnell notes her team's enthusiasm for success is driving its belief to be successful in the AFLW.

"A couple of things are not going exactly how we would like them to at the moment," Arnell said at Alberton on Friday.  

"Messaging (to the playing group) is really important. I am a positive person. Our group is capable of so much. It is a young group. (As coaches) we show them what they are capable of - and we drive their progress every time we see them.

"Our team is constantly improving. All they want to do is improve as individuals and as a group - and we are seeing that every time we are with them.

"The more exposure our younger players have to AFLW, the more time we have together as a group, the more belief we can generate - the better understanding you have of each other as a team. You find belief in consistency. You find belief in applying yourself consistently. I can see our group doing that."

So far, Arnell's group has lived differing themes on weekends with the 12-point loss to West Coast and 19-point defeat from the Western Bulldogs. But on weekdays, there is a consistent drive to work harder, better and smarter to find that first win in AFLW.

"You will see real growth and progress, particularly from our back line, between round 1 and 2," Arnell said of how the in-game lessons from the weekend are translating to in-training adjustments. "How we exited defensive 50 under pressure. If you compare the two games, it is like apples and oranges. We have seen really exciting progress, particularly from our back line through those two games.

"What we will see - what we expect to see - this week is progress with our ball movement, particularly through the middle of the ground."

"We know the group can move the ball better than how we did in round 2. Anyone who has watched us train will see that. I am hoping our group puts that out on the field this weekend against Carlton."

Port Adelaide's connection to its forwards will be more challenging by the absence of a star forward. The team's leading goalscorer Gemma Houghton is absent by injury suffered in the first half against the Western Bulldogs. The emerging cult figure had ankle surgery this week - and her replacement (or replacements, if Arnell seeks a new system in attack) will be revealed at team selection on Saturday evening. Houghton is expected to miss up to six matches in a 10-game home-and-away series.

"Gemma has been one of our better players this year; she is a really strong leader," Arnell said. "(Her absence) in Indigenous round is really sad; for her not to be able to run out with her team-mates is sad.

"Gemma has been so positive and resilient, as always. We are disappointed about the injury. But she is attacking (her recovery) with classic Gemma style. She is a classically resilient and positive person."

There is the prospect of a "like-for-like" refit of the Port Adelaide attack or a new system that could have captain Erin Phillips torment defenders with her inane goal sense - a theme that would free the AFLW great of heavy tags, as noted on Saturday in the 19-point home loss to the Western Bulldogs. The door also opens for possible debutantes, who have been proving their worth on the training track.

"There will be a couple of nice, little exciting surprises at team selection," Arnell said on Friday morning. "(Houghton's injury) offers opportunity - and a different look. That is what we will go with."

The question of Phillips as a midfielder or specialist forward gains a different edge this weekend by Port Adelaide's need to have a new target in attack while Houghton is on the sidelines. The move to attack might also be the right one at the right time for Phillips.

"Erin is going okay. She had a corky against West Coast; she is getting a heap of attention from the opposition, as are all of her team-mates - and she is among a new team," Arnell said. "So you will see Erin continue to progress - and I am really excited about what she will bring to the competition this season.

"We learn as we go for everyone (on how to deal with the taggers and hard marking)."

Arnell left the hook hanging on Phillips' potential move to specialist forward.

"We'll see ...," Arnell said. "There certainly are options. Erin can play nearly any position on the ground. For a lot of players, we have huge versatility. That is one part of my coaching this group - developing that versatility across all our players."

The roll-out of firsts continues for Arnell's Inaugurals.

"The build up for our first season has so many firsts. There is excitement in that - and there is extra responsibility and extra commitments that come with that as well," Arnell said. "We've reached round 3 - the nitty gritty of the season.

"After two Saturday games, we play Sunday ... and travel to Melbourne. It is exciting for us. It is another opportunity to get on the road and come together as a group, connect better. So it has been a good week."

Port Adelaide's first trip to Ikon Park for an AFLW match - almost a decade since the AFL senior men's team played for points on Carlton's home deck - marks Arnell's return to the inner Melbourne ground where she led Carlton for the first AFLW match (against Collingwood) in 2017. Her knowledge of the ground is a critical asset for a new team finding its way across the national league.

"I really love Ikon Park as a venue," said Arnell, who led Carlton to victory in that first AFLW game. "Particularly for women's footy. The shape really suits our game. I loved playing footy there - and I think I will enjoy coaching there too.

"Lots has changed (since 2017) with redevelopments. We will have a nice opportunity to get a feel for the venue (on Saturday) when we arrive in Melbourne.

"The dimensions of the ground (157 metres long, 127 metres at its widest points) suits women's football in general. It can be hard to describe, but the length and width suits women's football.

"We will roll in and play good footy, I hope."

So far, Arnell has checked her personal emotions - team before individual is her mantra - while dealing with landmark moments. Her return to Ikon Park inevitably will throw back life-changing memories.

"Experience can dull some emotion," Arnell said. "As a player, I was able to play (for Brisbane) against Carlton in a final. Time does dull that (emotional wave) a little bit. My investment and emotion is completely towards my group of players here at Port Adelaide."

Arnell again declared her care for Western Bulldogs midfielder Britney Gutknecht who suffered a severely broken leg late in the second term at Alberton Oval on Saturday afternoon.

"Britney is a wonderful kid and I had the pleasure of coaching her when she was in the under-18 national talent pathway," Arnell said. "I am really feeling for Brit. I hope she is going okay. The Western Bulldogs have reached out to us a number of times this week to thank us for our support."