Coach Mark Williams conceded his team reached the grand final last year ‘before their time’, and Carlile said two wins in the past two weeks suggested Port Adelaide would restore its position as a force in the AFL in 2009.
“This year, we don’t think we went backwards at all,” Carlile said.
“We just lost the games we won last year. There were a lot of close games that we probably should’ve won, and if we had have won them we would be talking about finals right now.”
The Power put on a convincing performance to demolish top-four fancies North Melbourne by 76 points on Saturday, and Carlile said it was important for morale that the team finished on a high.
“We’re all about winning at this club, so we wanted to finish off the last two games well. For us to beat North Melbourne was pretty big. They are, or what we thought were, a top four side, so hopefully we can take that win into next year,” he said.
“We can take a bit of motivation into the pre-season, have a really good solid summer and come out firing next year.”
Carlile, who received the round 22 NAB Rising Star nomination, joined his teammates in marking the end of the season with a few quiet drinks on Monday.
Williams has already forecast a busy trade and draft period for the Power, and Carlile said the players were using the day to say goodbye to teammates unlikely to be at Alberton next season.
“It’s been a long year, so today’s a chance for us to get together as a group, reflect on the season and just enjoy each other’s company because we know it won’t be the same next year,” he said.
“A lot of guys have been told it could be their last, so it’s good for us to get together as a group, say goodbye and wish everyone the best for the next couple of years.”
