Taking a number of positives of her side's match up with North Melbourne, Justine Mules says her team is committed to building toward their desired game style. Image: AFL Photos.

JUSTINE Mules is a believer. The three-time AFLW premiership-winning midfielder knows Port Adelaide football teams have for more than a century been defined by a particular playing style.

Mules has embraced senior coach Lauren Arnell's desire to have Port Adelaide's first senior women's team become defined in the same way - a theme picked up by Carlton coach Daniel Harford at the weekend.

Watching Port Adelaide's home clash with North Melbourne, Harford commented of Arnell's "Inaugurals": "They are building a strong brand; an identifiable, strong brand."

Mules takes external review as a reassuring note on how Port Adelaide's AFLW program is unfolding to a clearly defined plan.

"We want to emphasise the Port Adelaide way," said Mules. "That real ferocious, speed-style of football. That is ultimately what we are going for. We are showing glimpses of what it will be.

"With more time - and more of that connection piece we are chasing - that Port Adelaide footy will definitely come out."

Justine Mules' says the "Port Adelaide way" - hard and contested football - will become more and more ingrained within the side with time. Image: AFL Photos.

Mules, 27, joined captain Erin Phillips and vice-captain Ange Foley in leaving the successful program with the AFLW premiers at West Lakes to be part of the first Port Adelaide side. After six seasons knowing most games would end in victory, Mules has celebrated just one victory in Port Adelaide colours (the home triumph against Sydney in Round 4).

"It is an odd feeling, losing. But I know the bigger picture," Mules said. "Every week we are growing as a group. Some of the young players are having great first seasons. Each player has that growth in them - and they are the wins I take from this season.

"For me, those individuals getting better and adding to our team's growth are the wins I count. And I find it really exciting - and worthwhile."

Foley last week spoke of feeling revitalised - and being in her best form - by working in a new program. Mules also is finding new energy in a new environment.

"For me, this (season) is more than just playing; it is about my growth as a person," Mules said. "And as a leader. This is a different take for my footy career. And it has given more oomph in life. I know how Ange is feeling." 

Mules was one of Port Adelaide's four goalscorers in the first half against North Melbourne when the margin was just three points at half-time - and the North Melbourne defence was battered by repeat inside-50 entries.

She also was a torment to the North Melbourne defenders with a six-disposal first term.

Justine Mules' impressive start against the Kangaroos saw her collect six first quarter disposals and slot one of the best goals of the match. Image: AFL Photos.

"I am very proud of how we played that first half; it was exceptionally good," Mules said. "We can take some positives out of that.

"In recent weeks (in particular against Adelaide and Gold Coast) we have had some harsh losses. The entire squad wanted to come out firing from the start (against North Melbourne). We had such a great training session during the week.

"As a forward group, we focused on some key areas. That connection piece we are building is getting closer and closer. That is why we had such a strong first half."

But there was no goal in the second half - not even with the inspiration provided just before half-time when first-game teenager Lily Johnson kicked her first goal in AFLW, a perfect 40-metre kick alongside the Robert Quinn Stand.

"That is a moment Lily will never forget - and those are the moments I love with our team's growth this year," said Mules. "I am so glad to be part of this. It makes it all worthwhile for me.

"It was so exciting to see Lily rewarded. That goal was unreal. I was watching it from the sidelines - and I hope no-one had a camera on me because I was just jumping up and down. I had to play quite a few games before I scored my first AFLW goal. For Lily to do it in her first game was incredible."

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Johnson joy as first-gamer's sweet strike ignites Power | PTV

Lily Johnson completes an awesome set shot in her debut game much to the delight of her teammates and Port faithful.

The feast-or-famine contrast in Port Adelaide's scoring does bring into question whether there is the right personnel in attack (where All-Australian recruit Gemma Houghton returned at the weekend after a long stint on the sidelines after ankle surgery) - and how Port Adelaide loads up its forwards.

"As forwards, we have to work well as individuals and together," Mules said. "The past couple of weeks we have had some trouble trying to keep our shape. Against North Melbourne, we held our shape a lot better when compared with the past two-three weeks.

"As a group, we made this our main focus. We did a good job at the weekend. Our movement ahead of the ball - we still need to do a bit of work there.

"We are still learning (about each other and our game). We knew it was going to be tough. Half of the team has never played AFLW before. We are taking the small wins (in player and team development) - and over time they are going to create the bigger picture of winning more games.”

Port Adelaide, now ranked 16th with its 1-1-6 win-draw-loss record, closes its away stand with the clash against St Kilda at RSEA Park in suburban Melbourne on Sunday (12.40pm start Adelaide time).

"We are going to give everything we have got in these last two games (against St Kilda and Essendon)," Mules said. "I can't believe we were in pre-season just 10 weeks ago."

Mules also paid tribute to the Port Adelaide fans making their mark at AFLW games at Alberton Oval.

"The atmosphere we have at Alberton is quite special," she said.