PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Josh Carr has described this weekend’s Showdown LVI as a “must-win” because of the closeness of the competition and not the rivalry between his club and its cross-town rivals.
The Power enters the 56th encounter between Port and the Crows behind 27-28 on the ledger, having lost the last three meetings.
Having played in 10 Showdowns during his playing career, Carr is very familiar with how big the game is within the South Australian community, but at a press conference on Tuesday, he said the side was approaching the game as it would any other given how close the ladder was with two games of the home-and-away season to go.
Carr also spoke about the confidence gained out of winning ugly against Melbourne, Charlie Dixon’s return to fitness and form, and the important role Jason Horne-Francis has played in big moments across the season.
Josh Carr on winning in different ways against Sydney and Melbourne over the last fortnight:
“I think that the confidence that you get out of, you know, gutting out a win like that and it wasn't a pretty game, really, and it looked hard work at times, for both teams, and strong in the contest and really in the end, we obviously got over the line. We kept going with a really good last quarter.”
Josh Carr on the closeness of the competition and how the side will attack this week’s Showdown:
“I think this season's thrown up a lot of different looks and challenges, and that's just the year that it's been really. I think it just reinforces that you’ve really just got to worry about the one week at a time.
“I think we've been really consistent in our approach to each week off the back of losses and some bigger losses to big wins and just wins in general. I think the consistency in the messaging, you know, with the players and just making sure that, you know that's the bigger picture, is that we're working towards a common goal and about improving each week.”
Josh Carr on why the side hasn’t performed well in recent clashes with the Crows:
“I can't say I've got the answer for what's happened in the past. The Crows obviously got themselves up in those games and we haven't performed. The reality is, you know, we've lost a number of games over the last two years, and a few of those have been against them. But that doesn't change the way we approach this week, where, as I said, there's balance in the way that we approach every game. Obviously, we want to get the win, and that doesn't matter who we're playing against.
“As we've discussed earlier, with what the season has looked like, you just can't afford to be dropping games at this time of the year. So it's pretty easy for us with our focus and knowing what we’ve got to do. It's obviously a big game. It's a big game for the town, but the bigger picture for us is it's a big game for our season.”
Josh Carr on how the side is preparing for the Crows knowing they are not playing finals in 2024:
“Every week we prepare for the opposition's best football, and that was the same last weekend in Sydney and Melbourne, obviously. But you're preparing for their best, and Adelaide at its best can play really good football. So it's easy for us. We want to play in high pressure games, big games at this time the year to prepare us for the for the right time of year.”
Josh Carr on whether Charlie Dixon deserves more credit for his return to form and fitness, and how important he’ll be in September:
“I think it's been a real credit to him to be where he's at. Obviously, he wasn't playing the football that he wanted to play, he had that break, went and got himself fit, and he’s been a real integral part of our last month of football. The real credit (has to go) to him.
“He's important to us right now. So obviously, when September comes, I'm sure he'd be important then, but right now, he's important for this weekend.”
Josh Carr on whether he’s happy to side seems to be hitting its straps at the right time of year:
“I think you've got to be really careful with being happy with where you're at, because I think there's been a number of teams in the last couple of weeks who have had a bad couple of weeks that three weeks ago (everyone) was saying they’re a pretty good chance of being there at the year. So for us, that just keeps us on our toes with where we want to be. And we just can't lift the eyes too far.”
Josh Carr on the importance of Jason Horne-Francis at the weekend:
“He obviously was important to that game and what he did, you know, around the footy, forward of the footy, and then in the last few minutes, behind the footy. It's like we had three of him out there, which was nice.
“I think the great thing about Jason, he's got terrific IQ when it comes to footy and understanding where he has to be at the right times and what the game needs. And you saw that come to fruition on the weekend when the game needed it.”
Josh Carr on the Showdown rivalry:
“It's an enjoyable game to bit to be a part of as a football club. You know, there's two teams in the town so you just want to be able to, I guess your players want to have these opportunities to play in the big games, and they get that in a Showdown.
“The supporters, they obviously love the game. It means a hell of a lot to a lot of people externally, outside the football club and obviously inside the football club at the same time. But our job as coaches and the players as well is to make sure that we're being really consistent in our approach every game. You know, this is a must win game for us, and we're lucky enough that it's against the Crows.”
