BELIEF is not in question in Lauren Arnell's locker room where her "Inaugurals" are itching to again sing the Port Adelaide theme song in victory - and with that typical Port Adelaide expectation on Sunday for the away clash with St Kilda at RSEA Park.

"I have said from the start," says Arnell, "that every game we play, we look to win. And we've looked highly competitive ... everyone who has watched us this season has seen that. 

"The belief is there. A win would be reward for effort.

"I feel optimistic every week," added Arnell of her unwavering belief in her squad that is chasing its first win on the road after achieving a draw with Carlton at Ikon Park last month. "And that does not matter what opponent we play. The way our group turns up every week, leaves me optimistic regardless of the opponent. That's why I am very much looking forward to this weekend."

Port Adelaide (1-1-6, 16th) faces the 14th-ranked St Kilda (2-6) that is amid a six-game losing streak after opening the season with wins against new arrivals Sydney and Hawthorn. And there is a sense of vulnerability for Nick Dal Santo's unit if Port Adelaide works its speed game.

"We like to put speed on the ball," Arnell said. "When we are (in) offensive (mode), for sure. If that works for us this weekend, it would be lovely ..."

There is a fine line between playing with effective speed and slipping by haste, a line that has challenged the Port Adelaide midfielders and forwards while they seek to build a stronger and sounder "connection" after having their pre-season crammed by the AFLW's need to start in late August rather than January.

"The connection piece for a team that is eight games in is constantly evolving," Arnell said. "All Port Adelaide people can see how far it had evolved in that (four-goal) first half (against North Melbourne) last week. We take a lot of belief out of that first half against a really good team in North Melbourne. The connection piece is something we continue to build, on and off the field."

The challenge remains to end the extreme - feast or famine - with Port Adelaide's scoring that certainly is not failing from a lack of opportunity when the midfield is standing up at contests and in movement to the inside-50 arc.

"It's about continuing to bring 'connection'," Arnell said. "Do we have the capability to continue scoring with the firepower we had in the first half against North Melbourne? I think so. Now it is just a question of experience and bringing that all together again ...

"Consistency is a really big part of developing as a team and as individuals. Our list has 20 from our group of 30 who are all aged under 24. And a very big percentage of this group are first-time AFLW players. Building consistency - people on the outside under-estimate the ups and downs you can have in a season, on and off the field. We are doing what we can to support our players and help them grow while seasons can be pretty tumultuous.

"My experience as a player tells me you can have so many things that go your way - and then don't. Supporting our group to be consistent is a nice challenge for a coach."

Port Adelaide will name its playing squad on Saturday afternoon, on the eve of the match as is the norm in the AFLW. With 29 of the 30 "Inaugurals" already to have played, it is certain Arnell will soon tap the untried forward Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap, three weeks after her twin sister Litonya made her AFLW debut in defence against Hawthorn at Frankston.

"It makes a fair bit of sense (to play everyone this season) with the young list we have," Arnell said. "It makes absolute sense to have a look at everyone's weapons.

"It makes a lot of sense to have a look at all our players at the highest level."

Port Adelaide entered the AFLW as one of the four new teams in an 18-club competition that had a six-year base. The catch-up phase with the AFLW pioneers could only unfold with a "big picture" vision.

"We invest in our athletes as well as any other club in the competition," said Arnell of where Port Adelaide already is up to speed in the national women's league. 

"It is not easy, but a key goal of our program is to have that holistic approach - it is not a challenge, it is something we embrace.

"I am really happy with our growth so far. The longer we spend together, the more things will fall our way in deciding wins rather than losses ... that is for sure."

Arnell returns to RSEA Park - where she was a "friend" as a St Kilda player in the local VFL competition while waiting for her AFLW trade from Carlton to Brisbane - to learn just how different the tone of the home club's fans are to visiting teams.

"We are very much looking forward to that (reception at RSEA Park) ... and I can't wait to get out to Moorabbin," said Arnell, who last week had the Port Adelaide faithful deliver the same theme to North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker and his AFLW team.

"I loved listening to Darren Crocker last week when he talked about how volatile the environment is here at Alberton. I loved what he said of what it feels like for the opposition. Our playing group loved it. And you could see Darren enjoyed it as well; he did play in the days of a similar feel in the AFL in the early 1990s.

"There also is the experience of another away trip. We are going to a nice (redeveloped) venue. And the players who have been there before (such as team leader Justine Mules) are looking forward to going back to Moorabbin.

"Our group learns each week how to travel. Travelling as an elite athlete in the first year brings a lot of challenges with it. Timing of eating, sleeping in a different environment, 40 minutes of bus travel ... there are little pockets of things that, by the longer you spend at the top level, you learn more. I see this as a really great opportunity for our group."

All-Australian forward Gemma Houghton will play her 50th AFLW match, a milestone that was delayed by the need for ankle surgery after the round four clash with the Western Bulldogs. Her celebration will be shared by a player group that has quickly understood why the Fremantle key forward was a prime target in Port Adelaide's list-management plan.

"Every game Gemma plays is fantastic for us. To celebrate her 50th game is really exciting (for all)," Arnell said. 

"One of our senior players during the week gave a pretty quick response to the question, 'Who is the most approachable player in our team?' - Gemma Houghton. 

"Gemma has pushed herself to a different level in the pre-season  as an athlete and that has had a massive impact on the girls around her. Then her performances on the field, before the ankle injury, were second to none. Off field, Gemma is working in our community program making a real difference in the Indigenous community and with young women. She really leads the way in being an approachable person with real love and care for her team-mates. And she delivers high performance on the field. We are so proud of Gemma and where she has got to at our footy club and we know it is only going to get better."

"Gemma was looking forward to sharing her 50th with (captain) Erin Phillips (in Round 4). That game was to have been a shared celebration. (Instead,) Erin gets to walk out alongside Gemma this week for her 50th ..."

The match begins at 12.40pm SA time and will be seen live on Fox Footy, Kayo and at womens.afl.