Josh Carr has shed light on the lengths his club will go to to secure the future of its vice-captain and most influential player, Zak Butters.
Butters' restricted free agency is talkback radio and print media fodder recently, with the Western Bulldogs and Geelong Cats seemingly the frontrunners for his services, given his familial ties to Darley, situated west of Melbourne.
On Friday morning, Carr appeared on SEN's Fireball Friday program, speaking to Power premiership teammate Kane Cornes rather frankly when the question of Butters' impending decision was inevitably raised.
"It's about what we do for Zak. It's not about what we say externally, it's about how we look after Zak, and the culture we are building at this football club," Carr said.
"We've been vocal...and we've spoken about a number of different strategies with our list management, but at the same time, I think everyone knows where we sit with Zak - we're not just going to let him go.
"If he chose to leave us, then we know what that looks like, and we know that we will match anything."
Following mutterings of 'taking opposition lightly' following their first-up loss to North Melbourne, Roos legend David King put it to the newly-minted Power coach that his side is not in a position to approach games in that manner, leading to a somewhat tense interaction.
"You don't know what I spoke about 'Kingy', it was purely a comment on our mental prep, and there's no way that was a reason why we lost that game.
"What you're saying is right - we're in no position to disrespect an opposition, and that was the message to the playing group."
Carr is expecting a response from his charges this week, facing an Essendon side that has seen their own defensive deficiencies absolutely torn apart by analysts this week.
The loser can expect another week of intense scrutiny, given the relatively low expectations assigned to both clubs.
