PORT Adelaide midfielder John McCarthy says his club will use Sunday's Showdown against cross-town rivals Adelaide to prove it has turned the corner on last year's horror season and is on the road to recovery.

McCarthy said the Power was better than their 1-3 record suggested after pushing some of the league's best sides in Essendon, the Sydney Swans and Collingwood.

"It's time to make a statement and prove (we're better than our record suggests)," he said.

"Last year's grand finalist's [Collingwood] we came within 20 points - they really flogged us in the first quarter which wasn't good, but for the rest of the game we took it to them."

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While both sides have promised an increase in tackling intensity on Sunday, McCarthy said the match's opening minutes were when it could be won or lost.
 
"We've just got to come out firing from the beginning - we know that's what Adelaide is going to bring; they're a great side," he said.

"It's going to be on for young and old from the very first bounce, so we just need to come out and hopefully we can walk away after the game saying to each other that we played four quarters."

The former Magpie has been in great form for the Power in 2012, averaging 24 disposals, including a career-best 30 against his old team last weekend.

While he missed out on playing in the famous Anzac Day clashes while at Collingwood, McCarthy played said he had experienced significant rivalry games before when the Magpies faced Carlton.

He said the hype surrounding such games didn't add extra motivation.

"There has been a bit of build-up, but it's just another game for us," he said.

"I try not to think about the game as much as I can until the day of, or even a couple of hours before, so it's not going to do too much for me."

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The Power will miss the talent of Robbie Gray on Sunday after he horrifically injured his knee in the dying seconds of last weekend's match.

Gray underwent a knee reconstruction on Monday and, while McCarthy admitted the side would think of him on Sunday, victory for the entire playing group would inspire them.

"We want to do it for him, but we want to do it for the supporters and most of all we want to do it for ourselves," he said.

"We know we're good enough to win … 1-3 would suggest we're not a great side, but we think we're good.

"We want to come out this week and take it to them and prove to the footy world that we have what it takes."