Gemma Houghton says she feels the Port Adelaide community has welcomed her with open arms, making Alberton feel like home for the star forward. Image: Matt Sampson.

Gemma Houghton is a philosopher and a pragmatist.

The All-Australian key forward is pragmatic in understanding even if the AFLW executive had found on review on Monday that she had indeed scored the winning goal against St Kilda at Moorabbin on Sunday, the two-point loss would still stand. The goal umpire called the kick late in the last term as hitting the post ... and "herstory" will always record it that way.

"I will admit I celebrated," Houghton says of the moment that would have delivered more than four premierships points - and the first AFLW win on the road - for Port Adelaide. A goal also would have capped Houghton's 50th AFLW game with a dream finish.

"The footage shows my team-mates on the goal-line celebrating as if it was a goal ... 

"But, as we have seen from the AFLW, the goal umpire was happy with his call of a point ... and we have to trust the (league) has done the right thing."

Star forward Gemma Houghton returned from injury in Round 8, providing an instant impact up forward. Image: AFL Photos.

The Fremantle recruit carries the philosophical thought that Port Adelaide needs to make much more of its repetitive goalscoring chances ... so that Lauren Arnell's "Inaugurals" have scoreboard comfort to avoid being vulnerable to any questionable umpiring call.

"We have to be better," Houghton said. "We have to make sure we are not in the position that we are holding a lead (rather than chasing a winning score late in the match)."

Houghton arrived at Alberton - after 46 games as a foundation player at Fremantle in 2017 - as one of the AFLW's star players with the reputation of scoring goals with greater power than most forwards. Port Adelaide savoured the thought of building its attack around Houghton's strength as a go-to forward.

Her absence after Round 2 - with the need for ankle surgery - has left Port Adelaide to further appreciate the importance Houghton carries in the team game.

It also has left Houghton with much time in the rehab room to reflect on her decision to cross the Nullabor.

"For the first time in my seven seasons of AFLW, this was the first time I needed to have surgery," Houghton said. "It was new for me (to be on the sidelines).

"Two games in, I felt I was coming off a really good pre-season. I came into the season comfortable with my decision (to join Port Adelaide). I felt I had made the right move. It was unfortunate that the injury happened.

"To return to play in quick time is a credit to everyone at the club.

"I have loved the Port Adelaide army (of fans) - and the home-game experience (at Alberton Oval) with Never Tear Us Apart. I have seen nothing like it.

"I have not only loved the club and the players, I feel the Port Adelaide community has really welcomed me. I feel like I have been here forever."

The Alberton crowd sing Never Tear Us Apart, a much beloved pre-game ritual for Port Adelaide. Image: Matt Sampson.

Houghton notes any comparison with Fremantle in its inaugural season and the start-up at Port Adelaide this year would be flawed.

"It was difficult for Fremantle - and any team from the first year of AFLW - because no-one knew what to expect," Houghton said. "We were all in it together making our way in the first time of a national women's football competition. We were riding that wave together in 2017.

"I enjoyed that time with Fremantle and built amazing friendships that will last forever.

"But the really good thing with Port Adelaide is they have had six seasons to watch and prepare well for us as (inaugural squad members). With the pre-season having been cut short and the quick turnaround in seasons, the club has done an amazing job to bring us together, to build that connection between us ... they were definitely prepared for many situations."

The one distinctive difference with Port Adelaide's commitment to the AFLW is to have women in key leadership roles - notably Olympians Juliet Haslam and Rachel Sporn and coach Lauren Arnell, the first AFLW player to have a senior coaching role in the league.

"It is incredible," says Houghton of this model at Alberton. "They are amazing individuals in what they have achieved with their sporting careers. They also are genuine, caring people.

"All of us girls have felt that love from them; that support from them. 

Much admired by their players, Juliet Haslam, Lauren Arnell and Rachael Sporn have led from the front in Port Adelaide's inaugural AFLW season. Image: AFL Photos.

"It is amazing because usually as players you lean on each other in those hard times and when you are trying to find your feet in different areas. But all those leaders in our program have been female athletes in a professional environment. They have the inside knowledge. They have care. They have built that connection with us.

"They have led the way for us. It has really helped the program shine. In our reflection of our first season, the one win and one draw from nine games does not reflect how far we have come as a group."

Houghton had looked forward to sharing her 50th game milestone with Port Adelaide captain Erin Phillips - a script ruined by Houghton's injury that delayed her 50th AFLW match by six weeks.

But nothing has dimmed Houghton's appreciation of how powerful Phillips is as a team leader - and team player - now that she is a team-mate rather than rival on the field.

"Even when I was at Fremantle, Erin and I would often speak over Instagram or after games ... she is definitely someone I have learned from watching her in the competition," Houghton said. "Now, having Erin as my captain, I have learned so much from her. 

"Erin does have a bit of humour as well. She is definitely someone I look up to.

Gemma Houghton celebrates a goal with Erin Phillips and Ange Foley. Image: AFL Photos.

"Look at Erin at the weekend (against St Kilda) ... I thought she played an amazing game. She went into ruck for us. She took (some) one-handed marks (including the one that was followed by the pass to give Houghton the infamous set shot  scored as a behind in the closing minutes of the match).

"You have to snap out of it when watching Erin. You are in awe of how she goes about the game. Her leadership and what she brings to the team is an insight I had not seen before (as an opponent). Being alongside her now, I see her pre-game rituals, her leadership and she definitely still has amazing form."

Port Adelaide closes its inaugural campaign at home on Sunday against fellow AFLW newcomer Essendon.

"We are at home; we have that massive advantage and we have one of the best supporter bases in the competition," Houghton said. "To be at home for this game, I know the Port Adelaide army will get behind us no matter what. Hopefully, we can finish the season with a win."

Port Adelaide's players will have an open training session at Alberton Oval from 5.45pm on Thursday.