Port Adelaide assistant coach Josh Carr says the coaching group is close to knowing its 23 for Round 1.

What is sure is that the Power will be without vice-captain Zak Butters as he works his way back following knee surgery, though Esava Ratugolea will be close to being available in defence.

Speaking to Adelaide media on Wednesday, Carr said there was enough midfield depth to cover Butters in his absence, and the 24-year-old continues to be a positive influence around the group while rehabilitating.

Carr also discussed captain Connor Rozee’s strong pre-season, how the side will approach Friday evening’s intra-club hit-out and how his last few weeks have been since his announcement as the club’s next senior coach.

Josh Carr on Esava Ratugolea’s progress following knee surgery:

“I think that the aim is for round one or two, but he's recovered well and he started, especially this week, we started to lift his training and hopefully get a few more minutes into him on Friday, and then build him up from there.

“Look, he's probably not round one, but round two is probably looking a bit more realistic. We're not going to rush it with Sav. Like it's important that we’ve got him longer than shorter, and we want to make sure when he's ready to go, he's ready. So, you know, as I said, we've started to build it this week, and that gives us confidence going forward, that he's moving well and he's recovering well.”

Josh Carr on who will stand up in Zak Butters’ absence through injury:

“I think everyone. I don't think we're, especially in the midfield, ever reliant on the one person. So, you know there's a number of players that, obviously we've got going through there, and a number of options that are going through there so it's up to everyone just to lift that a little bit more.

“We feel like we're lucky in that area, and we've got a number of players that sort of go through the centre square. And, you know, Boaky spent a bit more time in there against the Saints, so he's been around for a while so we're probably lucky.”

Josh Carr on Connor Rozee’s performance against St Kilda:

“Connor has had a really good pre-season so he's giving himself a really good chance to have a really good year. Obviously, the Saints was a practice game. It was his preparation for round one. But he's given himself a really good chance of having a good year.

“I think he still played some really good games (last year), especially before he got injured. He had a really good first four or five weeks, but then the injury came and (he was) a little bit interrupted. But, you know, his contribution as far as his leadership goes, and even in-game, he was still playing good football. But I guess for the comparisons of previous years is what everyone looks at. There's a lot of upside for him, but I guess, he's captain, he's got a role to play, and that's the most important part.”

Josh Carr on how Zak Butters has been since his knee arthroscopy:

“He had it done in Melbourne last week, so he was there at the game. And his energy around the group is really important. He's super positive. He's super positive about what it looks like when he comes back and you've got to use these opportunities to be able to sit there and and look at the team, see the way it works. And he's obviously a vice captain of the team, so he's important around the group, but he can also learn from watching.”

Josh Carr on how the side will approach the intra-club hit-out on Friday evening:

“We've got an eye on round one in our preparation and making sure that they get the right amount of football on Friday night. It'll be a combination of match sim game to some training as well. So there's a balance in that. But from a numbers point of view, it's important that we hit numbers that would replicate a game, and that's a combination of both training and match sim.”

Josh Carr on how close the coaches are to knowing their 23 for Round 1:

“I’d like to think it's pretty settled. I think if you looked at the St Kilda game, you'd probably say that that's pretty much the team with guys like Ryan Burton who's obviously missed that game, putting his hand up for selection. There's going to be a lot of talk and a lot of debate over, over what that looks like, and the final numbers going into round one.”

Josh Carr on how things have been since he was announced as Port Adelaide’s next senior coach:

“It doesn't really feel much different. I guess having a focus with what my job is at the moment with the mids and making sure that we're ready to go for round one, that's sort of where it's at. I think it's been good. Obviously, it's out there, and it's done, and now our focus is about the season 2025.

“I think the way that we work together, and I think it's really clear, you know with what our roles are, and the players still fully know that Ken's the boss and he's the coach, and that's where it sits.

“Nothing changes for me gameday. It's the same. I think that the only thing that's changed for me is I have more involvement in list management and talking to the recruiting team about what it looks like going forward.”