Lauren Arnell embraced the emotion of Port Adelaide’s second win since entering the NAB AFLW competition, with the senior coach inspired by the grit and determination of her playing group. 

The Power women clinched an eight-point victory over St Kilda at RSEA Park on Sunday, with the game marking the first win for the season and the first win away from home in the side’s history. 

“I think just the feeling of winning, it's been a couple of years since I played, but having the girls feel that in this moment, and post-game after a win is always the best,” Arnell said, shortly after the final siren.  

“It can be really challenging coming into this (league). We came in at Season 7 as an expansion team and competing with really experienced bodies and (playing) Round 1 and Round 2 (this season) against probably two of the best teams that have been going around since day one, (we’ve showed) a fair bit of resilience off the back of that. 

“To stick to the plan today when we were under pressure, particularly at three-quarter time, I’m really pleased for the group and so proud of them and happy that they can have that feeling right now and build on that.” 

Coming back from a 20-point deficit early in the third quarter, Port Adelaide was able to accelerate with five unanswered goals, including two each from Hannah Ewings and Indy Tahau, as well as captain Erin Phillips’ first in Power colours. 

“We knew that today was going to be really hot in the contest,” Arnell said. 

“I think both teams' pressure factors were two or above for the whole game. It was really just about being able to sustain that and with the (improvement in our) fitness base that we've spoken about that we couldn’t generate in a small pre-season last year. 

“We've put so much time and effort into that so just putting belief into the group and understanding that we had to go to another level in that last quarter and also trust each other, I’m just so pleased for them.” 

A standout performance from smooth midfielder Abbey Dowrick saw her collect 24 disposals, nine clearances and 571 metres gained, with the 20-year-old making an impact from early in the game.  

“You can see she's a real weapon at both ends of the ground, being offensive and defensive around stoppage so it's really pleasing to see our young group and our older players step forward,” Arnell said. 

“For Abbey as well, it's a little confidence builder in starting to understand the impact she can have at this level.” 

It was a particularly special win for winger Katelyn Pope, who had her family in the stands at Moorabbin, for her first experience as a Port Adelaide player. 

“I’m really pleased for her,” Arnell said. 

“Popey is someone who, to be fair, has been pretty unlucky to be out of the side in the first two weeks and really took her opportunity. Probably took her a quarter or two to get into the game but from half time she certainly put her foot down and showed her weapons. The group loves her because she's hardworking and resilient and I’m really, really happy for (her).” 

Port Adelaide next test will be taking on Geelong at Alberton Oval next Saturday from 12:35pm. 

“We'll come up against a really strong team in Geelong,” Arnell said. 

“I thought they performed exceptionally well against North Melbourne on Friday night so looking forward to welcoming the Cats to Alberton.”