Fremantle AFLW coach Lisa Webb says her side will aim to draw on their AFL counterparts for inspiration after opening their campaign with a 21-point loss to Port Adelaide.

The Dockers were below their best in several key areas in their first game for premiership points at Cockburn ARC Oval, losing the clearance battle 27-16 and kicking at an efficiency of just 31.3 per cent inside their attacking 50m arc.

In March, Fremantle’s AFL side started their season with a 10-point loss to Geelong, but they have won 19 of their 21 games since to rocket to the top of the ladder and into premiership favouritism.

Webb said the example would be used for her team as they aim to quickly move on from their “bitterly disappointing” showing.

“For us, it’s pretty good to be able to draw on the men. They lost in that first round to Geelong and were able to turn it around. We’ve got to draw some strength from that, of course,” Webb said.

“It’s only round one, we’ve got lots to improve on.

“I don’t think we’re as far off as what it feels right now, because we’re clearly disappointed. We just need to sharpen up in a few areas . . . but we’ve got a way forward, which is good.”

Fremantle managed only two goals from 10 scoring shots on the afternoon — and had several opportunities go begging on the back of subpar ball use in blustery conditions.

Webb said the display had been made even more frustrating by the fact connection between their midfield and forward line had been an area of key focus over the off-season.

“We’ve been working so hard on it,” she said.

“We just need to get better, clearly. We didn’t put it to advantage, and when we did, their pressure was really strong.

“We’ll certainly be better for it, I can guarantee you that. There are some positives out of it, but getting a run together here and heading over to Melbourne (to play Collingwood) next week, we’ll be better for this experience.”

Webb hailed the turnout for the club’s first contest for premiership points at their training base, which has recently had $10 million worth of upgrades completed in order to host AFLW games, as “incredible”.

“I think the club’s done such a great job to put a show on like they did today, it was such a terrific atmosphere,” she said.