Port Adelaide has completed its first hit-out of the season, facing West Coast in a pre-season match simulation at Mineral Resources Park on Friday.

Making their first appearance under new senior coach Glenn Strachan and his coaching group, the Power used the match as an important opportunity to continue building towards the 2026 NAB AFLW season, giving the squad its first chance to put months of pre-season work into practice against opposition.

The Power travelled with a squad of 22 players, with game time spread across the broader group as part of the club's pre-season preparation, while draftees Sophie Eaton and Olivia Crane made their first appearances alongside the club's established core.

The match offered an early glimpse of the style Strachan has been implementing since taking charge, with improved defensive structures and a focus on generating scores from turnover evident throughout the contest.

"It was so good to see our ability to bring all the parts of our game that we've been working on across the pre-season," Strachan said.

"It was great to have a hit-out against a different opposition, and I felt like the way we defended was really strong, especially in the second half. We kept the ball in our front half and managed toscore off turnover, which was really pleasing."

The Power's defensive pressure and contest work came to the fore in the third term, keeping the Eagles scoreless through strong performances from Abbey Dowrick, Matilda Scholz, Molly Brooksby, Ella Heads and Teagan Germech.

Strachan credited the team's collective defensive effort, particularly the pressure applied higher up the ground.

"I think we were just looking to continue to build pressure in our front half, which I thought we did really well," he said.

"Our forwards did a great job of starting the chain, and then our mids and defenders were able to set up off the back of it."

Port Adelaide finished on top with 11 goals, with Indy Tahau, Gemma Houghton, Julia Teakle, Katelyn Pope, Lauren Young and Chloe Gaunt all hitting the scoreboard.

While pleased with his side's attacking output, Strachan said there was still plenty to build on across the remaining pre-season fixtures.

"Given that it was our first one, you probably don't execute skill as much as you want," he said.

"Even though we were able to score, it felt like we still need to continue to work on that. It felt like our defence took a nice couple of steps forward, but that's still something that we'll keep going after.

"From here it's probably about how we use the next three trial games to put together somewhat of a complete package."

Dowrick was among Port Adelaide's standout performers through the midfield, earning praise from Strachan for both her performance and leadership.

"Abs was great," he said.

"She works really hard, not just at her craft, but also her ability to be a great teammate. She defended well today and got some great reward, but it felt like it was a great performance across all three lines.

"Our forwards got good looks at scoring, but it was off the back of the work of the defenders and the mids to turn the ball over."

The match also marked the first opportunity for draftees Eaton and Crane to test themselves at senior level, with both impressing in their first outing.

"It was great to see them put all the work that they had since they got drafted in December into practice," Strachan said.

"They were both fantastic. They've got parts of their game that they're working on, which every young player does, but I love the way that they just turned up and competed, and they'll be better for it."

Forward Lauren Young also caught the coach's eye with another strong performance in the forward line.

"She was fantastic," Strachan said.

"I love the way that she came at the ball today. It feels like the work that she's doing during the week really came out today. She's obviously got some really good role models in Gemma (Houghton), Indy (Tahau), Popey (Katelyn Pope) and Juzzy (Justine Mules-Robinson)."

The Power will now turn its attention to next Saturday’s match simulation against Fremantle at Alberton Oval at 10am, as preparations for Round 1 continue.

Entry is free, with bookings available on the deck at the Port Club.