PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Josh Carr says the review of Saturday night’s Showdown loss has highlighted areas of inconsistency which let the side down.

Among the key issues was the inability to limit Adelaide’s scoring with Carr saying the side didn’t defend well as a team across the park.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Carr talked about the effectiveness of the midfield, Zak Butters’ best position and a potential new role for a developing big man.

Josh Carr on the review of Saturday’s Showdown LIII loss:

“We’re obviously disappointed. It makes Mondays a bit harder when you come into work but it’s the end of Round 3. There’s plenty to unpack from the game to make sure we get better and improve as a group and get ready for Sydney.

“Everyone who was at the game would have seen defensively, through the whole game we didn’t defend well as a team so that was one area of concern, no doubt about it and then in crucial moments, that’s not just in the last quarter but throughout the game we had lapses so it’s got to be addressed and we’ve got to be better in all areas of our game so we close the gap between our inconsistent moments.

“Our team defence, all over the ground – that’s forwards, mids and defenders – just wasn’t up to scratch so I think it’s easy to point the finger at one match-up but it’s a collective as a group.”

Josh Carr on winning the clearances 48-39 and the overall the performance of the midfield group:

“If I’m measuring from a stoppage point of view and a midfield point of view, we had good moments but then we also allowed run-ons. Adelaide might have won three of the last four centre bounces which at that time of the game we’ve got to be better.

“Numbers can be deceiving as well. Adelaide were still pretty good at the stoppage and still scored from their stoppages. It’s consistency through the game and making sure that when the pressure is on that you’re able to perform your role and play that.”

Josh Carr on the best position for Zak Butters:

“Zak – like a lot of players – is evolving and working on his game and trying to improve it. A good Zak Butters delivers in both and has a good spread of midfield and forward time. You go back a couple of weeks to the Brisbane game and he starts in the centre bounce in the third quarter and he’s part of a group that was really dominant around the stoppages. He’s got some strengths to add to both areas but it’s about consistency week to week.

“I think he’s not on his own when it comes to consistency when it comes to the first three weeks of this year. For individuals to perform well, we’ve got to perform well as a team. Zak is working on a lot of things in his game but he’s not alone there.”

Josh Carr on ruckman Brynn Teakle playing in the backline in the SANFL Showdown:

“It’s something we’re exploring with Brynn and obviously with a need for a tall defender. Brynn has still got a bit of work to do to be an AFL defender but we’re definitely having a look at that.”

Josh Carr on the test of coming up against Sydney in Sydney:

“It’s never an easy going to Sydney and playing them on their home deck. They make you pay off the turnover with their scoring ability.

“They’ve obviously got a really good forward line and a great spread all over the ground with individuals so we know we’ve got our work cut out going to Sydney but at the same time we think we’re good enough to be able to go there and win.”