PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Josh Carr is pleased with his midfield group’s progress throughout pre-season, despite presenting them with challenges and learnings.

With a mix of solid, established players, developing youngsters and gun new recruits, Carr is confident in the side’s preparation ahead of Round 1.

Speaking with the media following a captain’s run training session in Perth, Carr reflected on the match simulation against West Coast and his development as a coach, before looking ahead to Thursday’s official pre-season trial against his former club Fremantle.

Carr on selection for the trial match
“(Travis) Boak won’t play (due to injury). That's probably the one that's had a fair bit of interest going into this week. Junior (Rioli) won’t play also, he’s been a bit crook during the week. Boaky was ‘just a wait and see’ and see how he feels (but) considering Round 1 is only a couple of weeks away, we thought he wasn’t quite right to go out there.

“(Darcy Byrne-Jones) is good to go, he didn’t feel anything (during fitness testing) so he’s playing this week. (Jason Horne-Francis will) definitely play, he'll get probably about the same (time on field) as what he got last week. I think he played 80 per cent and that's probably about average for a midfielder in the competition.”

Carr on his midfield group
“We're building as a midfield group. There are a lot of new structures and new things that I'm throwing at the players and I thought we took a big step forward as a group last week. I feel like Ollie (Wines) is getting better every week, (Willem) Drew’s been solid and then you've got Connor Rozee who's obviously a very good player also. I think the mix is there, the wingers in Miles Bergman and Xavier Duursma, who have both had really good pre-seasons. We're building for Round 1 and we're nearly there.”

Carr on Thursday’s trial match against Fremantle
“We'd like to win, there's no doubt about it. I think more so we'd like to play the football we want to play. Who knows what sort of game Fremantle will play – they could play the greatest game ever but as long as we play the football and the brand that we want to play in prepping for Brisbane (in Round 1), that's what’s important.

“There are a few (dangerous midfielders at Fremantle). The two young guys, the two vice captains are pretty good players in (Andrew) Brayshaw and (Caleb) Serong. Obviously bringing (Jaeger) O'Meara in, and (Will) Brodie is a bull around the contest. They've got a good mix themselves and I think as far as prep for Brisbane, we couldn’t ask for a better preparation.”

Carr on Jason Horne-Francis
“Jason's improved each week with his fitness. Is he at his absolute peak? Not yet but he’s come off a big operation with four to five weeks (full training) under his belt. He's just building. I think we all saw the game last week and we saw glimpses of what his best looks like. I think we all know that's probably nowhere near his best and that's sort of dangerous at the same time. He's a sponge and he's willing to learn and get better and he does want to be a good player. I'm sure he's learned a lot (about preparation) from what happened at North. All I’ve seen is positivity from Jason…there's obviously the number one draft pick (tag) that’s attached to him and pressure comes with that, but at the same time he's only a second-year player.”

Carr on Scott Lycett
“Lycett will be the main ruck (in the trial) and Brynn, like last week, will back him up. I would have thought (that will be the set up for Round 1). Scooter's last two games have been outstanding. He’s led the way right from the start so he’s definitely put his hand up to take that role.

“He’s obviously got a lot of experience and played a lot of football over a number of years. He missed the majority of last year, but has had a good pre-season and he's ready to go. Like any player in the team he’s had to earn his spot and ensure he’s ready to go…Scooter's done that. His preparation's been very good, when you look at the last few weeks.”

Carr on learning from Ken Hinkley and Fremantle senior coach Justin Longmuir
“I had my first (coaching) stint with Ken and learned a lot from him as a really young coach. He’s a really honest coach, taught me to stay true to yourself as a coach, and coach with your own methods. Justin was great for me and I learned a lot about team defence and structure and the way that he teaches his players also. There are all different things you can take from coaches. Everyone's got their own philosophies and the way that they teach. I’ve been lucky to be with some good coaches.”