Port Adelaide AFLW head coach Lauren Arnell says although the she and the side are "extremely disappointed" in the result, there is plenty to learn from the clash with the Bulldogs. Image: AFL Photos.

LAUREN Arnell treasures one set on figures in a game overloaded with statistics. And it does not sit well with the Port Adelaide AFLW senior coach that the contested possession count read against her "inaugurals" in their first official match on spiritual territory at Alberton Oval.

Western Bulldogs 100, Port Adelaide 84.

And the uncontested numbers are not much better: Western Bulldogs 129, Port Adelaide 59.

Overall, the Western Bulldogs overwhelmed Port Adelaide on the possession count, 230-154 ... and it showed in the 19-point loss at Alberton on Saturday afternoon.

"Our work ethic is what we base our game on - work ethic and contested football," Arnell said. "We lost contested football today.

"The Western Bulldogs are a good side. I am extremely disappointed with the result - and so is our group - we had five-and-a-half thousand people packing out Alberton today. I am watching young girls and boys and their families back on Alberton ... that is a positive.

"Everyone is disappointed with the result."

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Lauren Arnell press conference - 3 September 2022 | PTV

Lauren Arnell speaks to the media.

The Champion Data statistics translate to more telling figures, such as command of territory with the Western Bulldogs having 33 inside-50 entries. Port Adelaide managed 14.

"It is a nod of the head to their midfield," said Arnell of the Western Bulldogs engine room that was propelled by a ruck dominance offered by Alice Edmonds having 26 hit-outs, six at centre. "They (the Western Bulldogs) were classy today. We were outplayed in a few areas - and that was one of them.

"Certainly front-half footy, if you win that so significantly, half your job is done. The Doggies were clearly a better side."

Port Adelaide scored just one goal - from key forward Gemma Houghton making history at Alberton Oval when she took opportunity from a loose ball in the southern goalsqaure during the second term.

"We had some issues connecting today," Arnell said of the broken link to the Port Adelaide forwards. "Largely it was around we gave up a lot of uncontested possession through the middle of the ground. We did not want to do that today. It is a bit of smarts with the footy. It is a bit of pressure at the source. Winning clearance. And with more time, our players will connect better."

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Notable was the homework the Western Bulldogs did in preparing for the match, clearly identifying the players who can power Port Adelaide to scoring - such as midfielder Maria Moloney, who was given very little space in which to work her skills.

"For every single player on our team - and the majority of our team is really young - it is about consistency," Arnell said of the challenge many of her players will face with opposition attention. "We are two rounds into a 10-round season - at least 10 rounds - and building consistency as a young player and even a mid-age player is something W players work towards and the best players do it."

Lauren Arnell says consistency and connection is the biggest focus for the side this season. Image: AFL Photos.

The game will be remembered for the broken right leg suffered by Western Bulldogs midfielder Britney Gutknecht late in the second term when she had a kick smothered by Rising Star nominee Abbey Dowrick. The match was held up for 31-minutes while Gutknecht was treated before being taken to hospital in an ambulance.

"It was an unfortunate incident. I have coached Brit in the talent pathways when she was a top under-18 player, so I hope she is okay; it did not look great," Arnell said.

"For Abbey, that is contest she creates and has created her whole life. I had a chat to her over the phone when it happened. For Abbey, it is - from where I am sitting - a footy contest and a rubbish outcome for Brit. We ask Abbey and all of the Port Adelaide girls to continue to bring contest - fairly.

"I would not have thought that (31-minute) delay was easy for anyone. Our team seemed to handle it relatively well on the field. It is another learning experience for every player out there."

Arnell sensed her team was well prepared for handling the occasion of the first AFLW game at Alberton where 5367 attended - and impressed the Port Adelaide players with their pre-game rendition of the Never Tear Us Apart anthem.

"It is another learning experience for our group. Everyone looked ready," Arnell said of the emotional build-up to the match. "We played a good team ... and again we will learn plenty."