Port embrace 'test of maturity' in AFLW semi-final

Port Adelaide must defeat Hawthorn for the first time in the AFLW to go one step closer to an unlikely premiership.

After dominating Richmond from start to finish in an elimination final to clinch their first post-season win, the Power will travel to Ikon Park to take on Hawthorn in Saturday's semi-final.

Arnell remains bullish about their chances.

Much like the Hawks, Port have also surprised the competition with their new-found success.

The Power had not won more than two games in a season before claiming seven this year to finish sixth, despite the absence of captain Janelle Cuthbertson.

Cuthbertson is among four Port players who have been sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury this year, making their sixth-placed finish even more impressive.

They walk into Saturday with a seven-game winning streak, while Hawthorn are smarting after Brisbane snapped their run of eight-straight victories in last week's qualifying final.

"There's some natural confidence in the group," Arnell said.

"It's interesting with such a short fixture in every year of AFLW ... One win always felt like three or four, and a loss always felt like three or four losses.

"To have seven wins now and the belief and confidence building with that, it is really meaningful for a young side.

"To see the group perform really well in the contest and also score heavily in our first-ever final is exactly what we could have hoped for."