Port Adelaide senior coach Josh Carr is looking forward to another Friday night fixture at Adelaide Oval, saying his team will need to be at its best to get a result against the Bulldogs.
Speaking with the media at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, Carr spoke on how his team defence is shaping up, what he expects from the Bulldogs and how captain Connor Rozee’s hamstring rehab is tracking.
Carr on selection
“Obviously, there's always discussion about opposition and what's best for opposition and to make the right changes to adapt. And we've had some great discussion around that, and what you know the best team balance looks like.”
Carr on playing a Friday night game
“We love it. We love the opportunity to be playing on a Friday night, the extra little bit of pressure of everyone watching and critiquing your game, and it's an opportunity to understand what playing under pressure looks like. It's obviously only pressure that you create with yourself externally, but to feel like you're playing in bigger games is an opportunity we can't underestimate.”
Carr on using Todd Marshall in various positions
“I definitely don't mind doing that. Preference is to keep him settled for sure. Last week with Tex (Taylor Waler) going down, we just felt the balance of the team probably struggled to find a match up right for him, so that's why we swung him forward in that second or third quarter.”
Carr on the final minute of the Showdown
“It was great that we got that opportunity to play in a game like that. And obviously we've had a few close ones this year. We haven't really had to protect a lead in that situation so we obviously reviewed that pretty strongly and we didn't get a few things right. So we've spoken about it, we’ve worked on it. We feel like we're in a better position.”
Carr on scenario training
“We've spent time on it, but I'd say we've invested more time into other areas of our game. So it was nice to get in that situation, get a reminder that you've got to get your detail right. But at the same time, it was just a great learning experience for a number of players you know. For Bez (Joe Berry) to get that opportunity in the last minute to have a shot on goal and kick a goal and then on the other side of it, the centre bounce, we didn't get that right. So it was nice to get some feedback, work on it, go away and be better for the next time we're in that situation.”
Carr on team defence
“It’s a work in progress. It’s not perfect, we're still chipping away at it and trying to get better. And it's not all of our game, but it definitely keeps us in a game. And it's definitely a great foundation to start from.
“It looked a little bit different for us last week. We had 60 inside 50s against us, which hasn't happened a lot this year. So the pleasing part out of last weekend wasn't probably around the team defence, it was probably around the defenders, about the way they stood up under pressure, and that works hand in hand. And it's always nice to have a defence that defends really well, but more so a team that can help out. We've probably been consistent in that area over the year, whereas last weekend, we probably let ourselves down a little bit with the inside 50s against.”
Carr on Marcus Bontempelli’s impact
“It sounds like he'll play. We prepare for him to play, and if he doesn't, it's definitely a bonus. don't think you can stop him. We've tried a few things on him over the years, with the tag and no tag, and we've had some success in both. And then we've also not had success with him getting off the chain. So we know what sort of player is, even when he's not getting the ball, he's an influence on his teammates. And we're aware of that.”
Carr on the Western Bulldogs
“They move the footy (well). They've got some guys that can use the footy in their back half. Bailey Dale's elite with his ball use. They're quite aggressive from the D 50. So it's an opportunity for us to get our team D right, but on the other side of that, we’ve got to make sure we use the footy.
“If you don't get (your balance) right, they'll find you out. We saw that in the start of the game last week versus Freo. Their ability to use their hands, I think their first goal came off a chain of about 10 or 12 handballs and a shot on goal. So if you’re just a half a second off, they'll make you pay.”
Carr on Zak Butters
“He's captain of our footy club right now in-game. So he's an integral part of the leadership and the way we go about our footy, and his energy, the way he leads the group, is so important to the way that we're playing. And he's been super.”
“I understand the landscape and what AFL footy looks like. We've got our hand up for a number of players to bring them home and be back in South Australia. So I get it. As I've said in the past, it's about us creating an environment that everyone wants to be at. Now, if they don't, I want it to be hard for them to leave.”
Carr on Connor Rozee’s recovery
“That was his first run (today), and he felt great. He's, I'd say, on time. We’ve still got a fair bit of time to get through before he's going to be ready. But it's quite positive. He's had some great energy around the group in the last couple of weeks, and his leadership hasn't gone unnoticed.”
Carr on Jordon Sweet
“He's had a good season. I think he's starting to understand what his game looks like. Can get a little bit carried away with his kicking sometimes, but the aggression that he plays with, he’s starting to understand his strengths and bringing that to the group. And his development over the last three years has been enormous.”
Carr on playing two rucks
“It’s been great. At the start of the year, I didn't think about playing two rucks, and you fall into it sometimes, and happy to go with it. It's been working for us, and given us a good look forward of the footy, and given us a contest when we need it. But at the same time, being able to change the CBs up when it hasn't been working for us.”
Carr on Jack Whitlock
“He's been huge this year, he’s a second-year player, and a lot has fallen on his shoulders as a key position player at this level. He just seems to find improvement week to week and keeps getting better. And he's always open to growth and learning. And it was nice to see him get rewarded for his year (with a Rising Star nomination), and he just shows glimpses each week that he's going to be a good player for us for a long time.
“He works hard at his game. I guess he never feels like he owns it. He just goes, I’ve got to get better all the time. And looking for little improvement. And it's credit to Reeva (Darren Reeves) and Mitch Clisby, the two forwards coaches working on his game and giving him confidence.”
Carr on Corey Durdin
“There’s a lot of trust with Durds, and what he brings to our team around his role. Sometimes he might not get a lot of the footy, but he brings defensive pressure, he brings some leadership in amongst our group, and he brings calmness amongst the group. So you feel like his game has grown and getting better and I’d love him to be rewarded with a bit more footy and but that's not the be all and end all for him, we know what he brings, and he definitely plays his role well and brings great energy within the group.”
