PORT ADELAIDE forward Gemma Houghton has described Saturday night’s come-from-behind Semi Final win over Hawthorn as one of the highlights of her career.

The 73-gamer booted two goals against the Hawks including 1.2 in a barnstorming last quarter which saw the Power overcome a 22-point deficit to secure a one-point win - setting an AFLW record for a comeback from three-quarter-time in the process.

Houghton said she noticed a look of determination in the eyes of teammates at the final break and knew her side was “not done yet”.

Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, the exciting and experienced forward spoke about moving on quickly from the result, preparing for Saturday’s Preliminary Final against the unbeaten North Melbourne, and the extraordinary development of ruck Matilda Scholz this season.

Gemma Houghton on the feeling at the club after the remarkable victory over Hawthorn

“It’s obviously, our first day back at the club since the win and just already seeing a few of the girls, I think the vibes are still up and (it’s) still a bit of shock that we were able to turn that last quarter around and get the win.

“We'll do a game review today, and then after that, we'll go for a little walk around the oval together as a group and come back in and reset for North. We know that's going to be a big challenge, obviously, having versed them already this season, so we'll prepare really well for that and put this win aside. We celebrate it when it needs to be celebrated but put it aside (now because) we still have work to be done.”

Gemma Houghton on what happened after three quarter time to overcome a record AFLW deficit

“I think just go back to playing our footy. The game wasn't over. A lot of people in some games would think four goals (down) we’re done, but we've had some games very similar to that, whether it's the first quarter or second or third and fourth this season, which I think has prepared us really well for moments like that. We knew that we’d be able to do it, hence doing it previously, in games in the season. And I think we all just had this feeling and look in our eyes about us that, you know, we weren't done yet. Our season wasn't done yet. So, we went out and got the job done.”

Gemma Houghton on whether there was a point where she knew the side would win in the last quarter

“It was like you were just in this flow state. And I literally didn't think about the score until the siren had gone. Hawthorn were really giving us the pressure as well so even though we were able to score those four goals to get us in front, it was still a very high pressured game and I think we were just throwing everything and giving it everything we had. (I’ve never played a game like it and) don't really want to do it again because it was very nervous. But that's probably a highlight or one of my career games with this group. It's so special to be able to get a win like that.”

Gemma Houghton on whether the feared she’d cost her side the game after playing on and hitting the post after taking a mark inside forward 50 at a key point in the last quarter

“Absolutely, although it did come back in probably two minutes later so it was a seven-point play, so I'll take that. But no, I remember watching after the game, once I'd played on, the camera went straight to Loz (Arnell), and she didn't say anything, but I could see in her eyes, she just was thinking, ‘why did you play on?’ So, yeah, I think, that's probably an area of my game where I've gotten better at definitely, I love to play on and take the game on. Ash (Saint) said to me as well, she needed a break so next time, can you mark it and take your shot? 

“You have to take your moments and knowing when is quite difficult. I get that goal, it's all happy, but you miss it, and you can hear the crowd sort of go, ‘oh no’. So yeah, they're just moments you take, but it's that moment after. Do you sit in that and think about what you just did, or do you go again and hope another goal which happens.”

Gemma Houghton on the group’s confidence to win games from any position

“I even reflect back on when we played West Coast in Round six or seven, when we were 19 to zero down - to come out and to still come out on top and win that game, it's probably something we probably, as a group wouldn't have been able to do last year. So that's massive growth for us, and we reflect on that as well in in our reviews. I think we take confidence in each other that, you know when it's not going our way, or you know the other team has momentum to trust that it will. That's footy. It will come, and when it comes, we’ll be ready for it.”

Gemma Houghton on her side not being given much of a chance in finals by many pundits

“Even coming into this year, we probably would have been the underdogs. We didn't have the start to our season that we wanted to but again, we knew the work we'd put in in the off-season, and we've got a great list, got some great characters. And JC (Janelle Cuthbertson), even though she's not been able to be out there with us for the majority of the seasons, played a huge part in her leadership and what she's been able to do with this group. It can be quite challenging, I think, when you see the outside noise, but we know within these four walls what we can do and what we can achieve. And I think we just stick to that. 

“It's clear to see that on the day of footy, it's anyone's game, and there is a lot of belief in us, and it's not just through wanting to believe it, but it's through actually putting in the work and seeing it be done. Obviously, we mentioned there's really close games this season, which all play a part. It's an, you know, it's just been a crazy season. When you look back at, you know, eight wins in a row, and what we've been able to achieve this year, and regardless of any result here onwards, I'm so proud of this group and where we've come to.”

Gemma Houghton on how to beat North Melbourne

“I just think we play our game. I think we when we can move it very fast, if we can get it into our forward line, we've got a very dangerous forward line with Ash (Saint), and we've got some height in there and Matilda (Scholz) in the ruck as well. I think everyone just plays their role. Any team can be vulnerable, and we're just going to go out there and definitely not have a slow start like we did against the Hawks.”

Gemma Houghton on Matilda Scholz’s development this season

“She's just getting started. It's actually quite scary. She's such a young athlete, but she just looks like she's been playing for years. This is my ninth season, and I haven't really seen anyone like her before in the way that she plays and how she can take on the game. It's not just a ruck, she's a midfielder, she's a forward, she's any position you could play her. (I’m) so proud of the work that she's put in this year, and I'm excited to see what she can do next year and beyond.”