Belief is building within the Power camp on a number of fronts as pre-season gets well and truly underway, according to their star recruit from the 2024 trade period, Jack Lukosius.
At full health, the 25-year-old will look to dynamise the forward 50 in Carr's new system, who is looking to create more avenues of attack to improve the delivery of the Sherrin to the Power's spearhead targets.
However, injuries devastated a promising debut campaign in teal for Lukosius, playing just seven games, but the former Suns forward kicked eight goals in those fixtures.
Now, Lukosius has started strongly to pre-season after the "frustrating" year dealing with persistent back and calf issues.
"I got injured with three rounds to go, so I took an extended period before I came back to running," Lukosius told media on Monday.
"I focused on getting really strong in my glutes, knees, quads and calves to support everything a bit better. Taking that bit of time has allowed a stronger base to training in November and December.
"The first injury was in mid-March, and I've somewhat been in rehab since then... I've done stints in rehab with my calves, knees and back.
"I saw a biomechanics guy and did a heap of testing, so I feel like I'm in a good spot. I know more about my body than I ever have beforehand. When I'm feeling things out on the track, I know where I'm at. I'm in a good spot to push the boundaries and get better.
"The setbacks were definitely frustrating, especially with backs and calves. You've got to give them time; it's not like you can grind through them. You've got to be more patient.
"I was tested mentally throughout 2025 and now that I'm feeling good and it's November and December, it's about putting the work in so I have a better 2026."
Lukosius isn't the only player entering the summer fit and firing, with SSP train-on signing Jaidyn Stephenson impressing his new teammates after a shock early retirement last year.
Stephensen burst onto the AFL scene after he was drafted by Collingwood with Pick 6 in the 2017 National Draft, with the speedy forward claiming the 2018 Rising Star in the Magpies' runner-up campaign, before being traded to the Kangaroos in 2021.
The 26-year-old returned to his local football club, Ferntree Gully in the Eastern Football League this year, where he was captain, but Lukosius said he's already back to AFL fitness standards as he makes a bid to return to the topflight.
"It hasn't stood out that he's played local footy last year at all," Lukosius said.
"I think he must have done the work back end of the year into the off-season to give himself every chance. He's looking like an AFL footballer.
"He's definitely still got all the talent that made him a great player early in his career, and he's come in with everything you'd want from a train-on. He's been training hard, doing all his extras, and ticking every box.
"He's putting his best foot forward, that's for sure, and I think the group has accepted him."
Another player "flying" at pre-season at Alberton is Zak Butters, even as the superstar deals with constant speculation about his future at the club beyond 2026.
Lukosius highlighted how little the decision was affecting Butters' performance, and was confident the group would be as convincing as possible to help retain Butters' signature with their on-field efforts.
"It's part of being a good player, he'll cop that [the media attention]," Lukosius said.
"He's handling it really well and is back in training and flying. I'm keen to play some good footy with him.
"The pull is always going to be [going home to Victoria] but our job is to make this a great place to play footy, for him to play well and for us to be challenging [for a premiership].
"If everyone's holding up their end, it'll make it a hard place for him to leave. I know how much he loves playing here. Hopefully we can have a great year and keep him."
Lukosius, Butters and potentially Stephenson will look to open the Power's 2026 campaign with a Round 1 win over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, March 15.
