Port Adelaide Senior Coach Josh Carr will take the reins in his first Showdown at the helm on Friday night as he prepares his side for Showdown LIX.  

Sitting alongside Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks on Thursday, Carr spoke to the Adelaide media about the importance of a consistent four-quarter performance, the challenge of Adelaide’s forward line, and the recent growth of the Power’s midfield group.  

Carr also discussed the finals-like nature of Showdown games and the opportunity that playing two rucks has presented for his side. 

Carr on combating Adelaide’s forward line 

“It's a big challenge. If they get the footy in there, they’ve got a number of targets. If you shut down one, there's another two or three to go to, and that's from a tall point of view, and then the smalls at their feet, obviously, (Josh) Rachele, (Izak) Rankine, (Ben) Keays, these guys that get up the ground, and get back, for us to walk away with a result, we know what that looks like, and we know that we have to take that away from them.”  

Carr on his memories of playing in Showdowns, and how he feels about coaching his first 

“There's no comparison really (from when he played, to now), you know my job is it coach the footy club, and what happened in the Showdowns back in my day, versus what it looks like now, is completely different. We understand that a Showdown isn't just any game, that's what we do know. There's always a little bit more on it for the supporters and both football clubs. And we know that it doesn't really matter where you are on the ladder, it's a competitive game of football, and for whatever reason, either club can grow and play above themselves if they haven't been informed beforehand and get the best out of themselves. And these are the games that do that.”  

“I think it stings the football club (losing Showdown games), and we're a part of that, but it's not going to make a difference to what we put out there tomorrow night. What's happened in the past, we can only worry about the next moment and what happens tomorrow night, rather than what's happened yesterday or the day before, or the four or five years.”  

Carr on maintaining consistent form 

“That’s a million-dollar question, in some ways, about consistency and bringing your game together for four quarters, week in, week out…the best teams do that. So, there's not a clear answer. It's the challenge of a team that's trying to get to a position at the top end of the ladder, and those teams are consistently performing week in week out. So, bringing all of your game together, not relying on one part of your game, making sure you're solid in all parts of your game. That allows you to be competitive, it allows you to be in the game and finishing off your work when you get the chance.”  

Carr on the recent performance of his midfield group 

“I just think they're a bit clearer in what's working for them and what's not, and when they go away from their role, and they go away from their process, then we get found out, and that's all parts of our game. In defence we have a system and we have a process, it's no different than around the stoppage. We haven't started well in the last few games, that was no different last week, we didn't get off to a great start in the first five minutes – so hopefully that’s different tomorrow night.” 

Carr on the advantage of playing two rucks 

“The advantage is if something's not working, you're able to change it up and go with a different look, give the opposition ruckman a different look. But the pleasing part is probably forward of the footy. I feel like they both been able to impact forward of the footy and given us more of a contest and another tall forward to go to.” 

 Carr on Izak Rankine 

“We have a plan with every opposition that we come up against, and especially around the more, I guess, talented, better players that you'd see that have a big influence on the game. Izak has caused me some heartaches in the past, and even from when I was coaching North Adelaide, he's a very good player. And as I said we have a plan.”  

Carr on Variety the Children’s Charity’s work in South Australia 

“They bring a community together by supporting the two footy clubs, and what they're doing for South Australia is pretty special.”