A WEEK is a long time in football as Port Adelaide coach Lauren Arnell can attest after a contrasting past fortnight. A week ago, the Power were on the receiving end of the biggest ever three quarter time comeback when St Kilda piled on six last quarter goals, however fast forward to Round 8, and it was Port coming up clutch against the Western Bulldogs.

Leading by a point at the final break, Port Adelaide booted 4.1 to 1.1 in the last quarter – of which featured the first four majors to ice the game – to defeat the Bulldogs, 8.6 (54) to 5.5 (35) and keep the Power’s finals hopes alive. Arnell said she was not only pleased to win, but most impressive was the way the group responded from the heartache of Round 7.

“We’ve had some challenges with second halves and particularly last quarter and obviously Bulldogs showed up in a really strong fashion and applied a lot of pressure to us, particularly in that first half and I’m really proud and pleased with the group’s response when things weren’t necessarily on our terms earlier in the game,” she said.

“Our group to take the learnings that we need to and respond in the way that we asked of them and to double down on the things that we do well which is show up with pressure and really aggressive offensive. “I think six goals in that second half, which is our offence and what was required to win this game today. “Pleased with that response and the belief that had with for each other and the want to play their own roles.”

When asked about what was the catalyst behind the second half and in particular fourth term this week compared to the previous week, Arnell said it was renewed belief in one another.

“I think it’s belief and our players understanding what they’re capable of and a big part of what we do as coaches as a whole coaching group is continuing to reinforce what they group’s capable of and what we need from then to do that and I think it does come down to belief and support for one another out there and I think the players should take a huge amount of credit for that,” she said.

While Port is still a far cry from reaching the heights of last year’s breakout preliminary finals appearance, the Power are still in with a chance, sitting at 3-5 but need a near-seamless end to the year with only four games remaining and sitting eight points adrift of the top eight. Throw in the fact they have Brisbane (away), Hawthorn (home) and a Showdown against the Crows in the next three weeks, and it is an uphil battle.

Arnell said she would never “shy away” from wanting to play finals, but the Power were taking each week as it came rather than worrying about possibilities down the track.

“This group has a long way to go in that space, but it’s an important win for us tonight and most importantly the way we responded and what was required for four quarters of footy when things we’re necessarily on our terms early which was really important,” she said.

Western Bulldogs coach Tam Hyett said Port Adelaide deserved the win with the way the Power “out-worked” the Dogs around the ground.

“Second half they brought the heat, their pressure increased, contest numbers were better so they out-worked us around the contest and then clearance,” she said. “They had probably better field position than us for most of the second half so that’s where they got us.”