PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Josh Carr says he was pleased with the way his midfield responded on Saturday night after a stern half-time talking to by senior coach Ken Hinkley.
Hinkley was spotted on broadcast cameras singling out the midfielders at half time of the win over Richmond.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Carr said the players thought the discussion was warranted and the response was good.
He also spoke about Charlie Dixon’s four-goal performance, the need to keep the group focused on Friday night’s clash with Carlton and not look ahead, and the links being made between him and the West Coast coaching job.
Josh Carr on Ken Hinkley’s stern half time discussion with the midfield group:
“They're fine. It's not something that they haven't copped before, from coaches and obviously Kenny, and it was warranted, they felt it was warranted, they responded in the way that they should respond - in a good way.
“I sort of knew it was coming so I just let Kenny do his work. And then obviously, then patch things up after. We had a conversation about it and I said go for it… and the players took it the way they should take it the right way and responded.
“It was just different occasions where maybe one player, was a little bit slow to get out of the contest where we just need to get some more consistency as a whole as a group, that we can't have one player down when we're in that situation. So really, it was just a bit of a rev up to make sure that we were switched on and ready to go and that as a group and as a team that we're all in it together.”
Josh Carr on whether the side plays better with two key forwards instead of three or more:
“We have conversations about what's the best team for obviously, whatever team we're playing in the upcoming weeks. Obviously, this week, it's Carlton. We subbed Lordy out and we thought that's what the game needed in that time. So yeah, I guess it's horses for courses in a lot of ways to make sure that we're picking the best team to beat Carlton.”
Josh Carr on forward Charlie Dixon’s four-goal effort on Saturday night:
“I think it's just important for him to get some reward for his effort that he's put in over the last month to get himself fit and be ready and obviously last week was okay but this week to be able to get rewarded for his effort and kick a few goals was pleasing for everyone, especially in his 150th (game) for the club.”
Josh Carr on the difficult block of fixtures Port Adelaide faces over the next few weeks:
“Look in this competition with where it's at, it's obviously never been so close. And then really just you can't afford to lift the eyes. We know the reward of I guess winning a certain amount of games in this block but at the same time, you just can't take your eyes off this week, and one week at a time because it’s so close. And you've got to make sure you're not getting ahead of yourself. You’ve got to take care of business and you’ve got to take care of what's happening this week.”
Josh Carr on whether he or his management has spoken to West Coast about the vacant head coaching job there:
“No, not at all. I've been really clear from probably this time last year that I'm here to stay in Adelaide and not moving away from Adelaide anytime soon. Everyone's settled. I've moved a few times over the last few years and I’m fully entrenched at Port Adelaide.”
Josh Carr on a suggestion Ken Hinkley could also be on West Coast’s radar:
“I think we all know what the industry is like. Whatever makes a good story, and sells papers and gets people to watch then that's what has to be reported. We’re fully aware of how that works.”
Josh Carr on whether Jordon Sweet has made the number one ruck role his own:
“He's performing well in the ruck and then he's got Vis (Dante Visentini) not far behind him in the SANFL, who's dominating the SANFL, so we feel like we're in a pretty good spot from a rucks point of view.”
