SOMETIMES - as Brisbane noted last season with its "dancing on ice" theme after a 4-1-6 start - you need to stare at impending disaster to change your destiny.
For Port Adelaide midfield coach - and senior coach-in-waiting - Josh Carr, the attitude of the playing group on returning from the mid-season break with a 4-7 win-loss record told of a squad not wanting to waste a year.
"We came back from the break with real intent and purpose in what we want to achieve," says Carr. "And that is continuing ...
"That week after the bye there was intent - and that is where it should be. The group has a real purpose about them. It stands out."
Port Adelaide's 16-point win against Greater Western Sydney at Manuka Oval on Saturday night reminded all of the key elements that underline winning performances.
"The week we had going into the GWS game - off the break - redefined what is important in how we play," Carr said. "It is a good place to start from in building back our season.
"The effort ... that is what we start with. And there is improvement in all phases of the game. Contest, stoppage to the way we move the ball to the way we defend. There needed to be an uplift in everything we do to meet the expectations we had at the start of the year.
"We are laying those foundations from now. We need to build on that week by week. We have to do it again against a team (Melbourne) that is in good form."
Carr took charge of the program on Tuesday while senior coach Ken Hinkley remained at home by illness.
RUCKUS: Melbourne captain Max Gawn has loomed large over all games with Port Adelaide for more than a decade. Does this weekend's match-up prompt a double-team theme against the All-Australian rival - and which of the three ruckmen at Alberton would get the challenge?
Currently, the youngest ruckman - Dante Visentini - is in the hot seat. Last time, Jordon Sweet battled Gawn with a 27-30 count in the hit-outs. Before that, it was Ivan Soldo with a 25-50 line on Gawn.
This time?
"When you look at Max Gawn," said Carr, "you assume he is going to play a really good game. The way we prepare for it .. Dante has been really good for us since he has come in and the midfield group has been performing okay with Dante as their ruck. Each week that he plays he shows a little more improvement.
"Sweet has gone back to the SANFL and performed really well.
"So when it comes to selection and preparing for this game, it is about winning - and we have a good headache with selection pressure in ruck.
"And when you are preparing for Melbourne you are preparing for Max Gawn to have a good game. We need to put good defensive mechanisms around Max."
SOUND THE HORN: Midfielder-forward Jason Horne-Francis is to resume from his time on the sidelines with a hamstring strain.
"He is ready to go, so he will come in," Carr said.
"Who he replaces, who goes out ... that is a discussion at selection."
The pressure at match committee to find the best 23 - or the best-balanced 23 - will increase with the recovery of Gold Coast recruit Jack Lukosius after being kept in the medical rooms with back spasms after healing a fractured kneecap.
"The knee is looking good, but the week before he had some spasms in the gym," Carr said.
"He has had a couple of good days with his back so hopefully we are out the other side. With back issues, it is tough to give a timeline. But he has had a couple of good days.
"I feel for Jack when in his first year here he wants to be around the group but is stuck in rehab. That makes it tough. It has not been ideal. Everyone is supportive of him. He will come out of the other side."
LIST MOVES: Now charged with more say at list management, Carr is most pragmatic on the future of versatile defender Miles Bergman who is out of contract at season's end and courted by Victorian rivals with come-home offers.
"Miles is required and wanted at our football club and we have given him the time he needs," Carr said. "He showed last time that he took his time with his decision. That is okay. He is doing his due diligence. He is making sure he is comfortable with the decision he makes.
"There is no rush if the end result is he stays with us."
Carr notes the increased flexibility of Bergman.
"Miles has shown he can now go in the midfield and perform," Carr said. "When we have done that in previous years he was not quite ready. He has grabbed that opportunity with both hands this year. The flexibility we have now with him and Connor Rozee in the midfield (from defence) adds to our group."
SWEET SPOT: In one of the quirky notes of the fixture, Port Adelaide starts a three-game stand at Adelaide Oval with Sunday's clash against Melbourne to the Thursday night battle with Carlton.
"Playing in front of our supporters always helps," Carr said. "But we are not getting further ahead of what we need to do this weekend."
Port Adelaide last hosted Melbourne at Adelaide Oval in round four last season (losing by seven points before winning the return bout at the MCG on August 10 by two points).
Overall Port Adelaide has a 24-17 win-loss record against Melbourne in AFL home-and-away matches since 1997.
FINALLY: Port Adelaide won a last quarter for the first time this season on Saturday night.
"Nothing changed in our approach," Carr said. "The mindset was to put some consistency with each quarter. We sought a four-quarter performance and achieved that at the weekend."
