PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Josh Carr says his side has had a good preparation over recent weeks for finals football with several testing encounters.

The Power sealed a home qualifying final against Geelong with Sunday night’s win over Fremantle in Perth.

The Dockers went into the game needing to win to qualify for finals – something Carr said his side chose not to focus on, instead sticking to its regular processes and approach to each game.

Speaking during a press conference at Adelaide Airport after the Power returned home, Carr also discussed injuries to a couple of important defenders, how his midfield is placed to attack finals, and the atmosphere he hopes to see at Adelaide Oval for next week’s game against the Cats.

Josh Carr on how the side approached the Fremantle game, knowing the Dockers needed to win to play finals:

“Five minutes before the teams ran out the Carlton game (result came) through, and the crowd was cheering, and so we sort of knew we were going to be in for a really tough game with that, I guess, in front of Freo but also what was in front of us as well. So, it was exciting to sort of be part of that game, especially in preparation for what's coming up.

“(For us) it was all about our process and the way we approach every game each week. The outcome of that (Carlton) game really wasn't something we needed to focus on. It was about our football and the way we played it.”

Josh Carr on the side’s form against some of the top teams in the last two months:

“I think it was just from a game style point of view and the way we approach it as coaches and the playing group, it’s probably just about building trust in the way that we play and in all phases of our game. We probably feel like we've been a lot more consistent on both sides of the footy, defensively, been really strong over the last five or six weeks, moving the ball well and I guess just consistency through our contest. We've had quarters even, like yesterday, the first half was sort of down on the contest, but we've been able to arrest that. So just feel like it's good preparation.

“It's not the real thing, no doubt about it. It's a different game come finals time. But to be in a high-pressure game (with) plenty on the line as well is beneficial to us in our preparation.” 

Josh Carr on the health of defenders Aliir Aliir and Kane Farrell after respective ankle and hamstring injuries on Sunday:

“He played out the game and obviously we’ve got the weekend off next week, so Aliir will be fine. And Faz, we're just waiting on him, so he'll catch up with the doctors and obviously, (it’s been less than) 24 hours, and see how that that is, and see if it's settled and go from there.”

Josh Carr on who could replace Farrell in the side:

“Obviously, Josh Sinn has been there waiting as well and been playing really good football, so he's an option. We feel like we've got options to have a look at so, yeah, there could be a few selections (questions) before the game.”

Josh Carr on encouraging Port supporters to pack out Adelaide Oval for the Qualifying Final against Geelong:

“At that last Showdown (with) a packed house, it was a pretty amazing atmosphere. And I guess it's a bit like us as a playing group, and the way we approach it, it is one week at a time and from the fans point of view, just turn up for this first week and get there and support us because, you know, we want it to be loud and we want that atmosphere to be great.”

Josh Carr on whether midfielders Zak Butters and Connor Rozee have matured and are better placed to perform in finals this year compared with 2023:

“You feel like every finals campaign they're a part of, they're going to learn and get better so there's no doubt being a part of that last year, it's going to make them better as players. It doesn't guarantee it. There's always lessons to come out of any game, especially finals so I feel like they'd be pretty confident and looking forward to it. I know what type of players they are, they want to play - and I'm talking about every midfielder and every player in our team they want to play a part of finals. They'll be pretty excited about what's going on.”