PORT Adelaide is one step closer to a maiden AFL Women’s finals berth after accounting for St Kilda last night. Power coach Lauren Arnell was one proud boss after the match,.

“I’m really proud of the group so far, and we’ve also got a fair bit of work to go,” Arnell said. “We go up to the Gold Coast for next week’s game, and we know that we’re yet to beat them, so we’ve got a bit of work to do there.”

The win was off the bag of a fast start which saw the Power kick five goals in the first quarter, which really pleased Arnell.

“I think a good start provides healthy confidence for the group, understanding you’ve still got a fair way in the game to go,” Arnell explained.

“I think again it’s confidence and you know, prior to the Collingwood game, we had some really slow starts for about four or five games. So to have two in a row now where we start strong is positive for us.”

Last night’s win now means the Power have won four matches in a row for the first time in their history.

“Obviously significant to win four games in a row for us,” Arnell agreed.  

“It’s important for us, and I think the most important thing and the focus that we’ve had is the growth in our game, so to be able to see us win contest possession again and put reasonable score on the board.

“I think we did leave a few out there tonight again, but to put reasonable score on the board and start the game well is another sign of growth for our group.”

Arnell reflected on what the outlook was for the rest of the year, with matches against Gold Coast and GWS still to come in the home and away season.

“Our focus is about performing better each week and executing the main things that we focus on and a big part of that that I think everyone would know about our brand of footy now is contest and how pressure was high,” Arnell said.

“We fell away a little bit in the third quarter, but really pleased for the group. “I think particularly in that first quarter our front half pressure was exceptional and allowed us to maintain and provide a lot of scoring opportunities. “I think we’ve seen a lot of individuals step up again tonight, but in overall the way that the team brand of footing is looking is pleasing.”

The Power will go into uncharted territory as favourites for their last two matches, but “I think if anyone’s talking about us as favourites, it’s privilege,” Arnell said.  

“We’ve come a long way in two and a half years, and so if that’s where external people pitch us, that’s great. But we just worry about our process in each game and getting better each week.”