Power caretaker coach Matthew Primus has acknowledged the threat of finishing this season with the wooden spoon is alive, but promised he would be doing everything he can to ensure Port Adelaide avoid finishing last.
Primus admitted he hasn't used the thought of finishing 16th as a motivation ahead of Sunday's Showdown with the Crows but said the next few weeks will be interesting for the Power, with some decisive matches against the other contenders, West Coast and Richmond to come.
"It's there and certainly as a club you wouldn't like to finish there," he said.
"It's not the fear of the wooden spoon, I haven't used that (as motivation) but we'll be doing everything we can (to avoid it). We want to pick a 22 that will give us an effort over four quarters. We do that and we'll win some games no doubt."
Primus believes a win in the Showdown and a clean sweep against Adelaide this season will be all it takes for Port to finish the season strongly.
The former captain highlighted the Crows and Richmond as examples of side who have enjoyed a change in fortune.
Both Adelaide and the Tigers struggled early in the season before managing to string consecutive wins together.
"We only have to look at what Adelaide has done, what Richmond has done," he said.
"Once you get some wins you get some belief in your group and you keep working at what you believe in things can turn around quickly."
"We're well aware that if we can get a win and get our best players on the park we can start to get a winning run going, and your club and your environment and your supporters and your members certainly look forward to that."
"Players definitely lift from that experience. We look at what teams need to get on a roll and all it is is about finding a win and getting some confidence and belief. The sooner that happens, the better for us but that's not too far around the corner."
Primus also downplayed the notion that the retiring Josh Carr will recklessly end his career on Sunday in an unsportsmanlike display, knowing getting reported and suspension is virtually irrelevant.
The interim coach acknowledged the significance of the occasion but believes Carr will go out on a positive and competitive note.
"Obviously the intensity rises a little bit for these games and they'll expect that," he said.
"He'll finish the way people remember him. If you're alluding to, 'is Josh going to go out swinging?', he's not going to do that. He's going to play it like he's played every game as his last."
"This one will definitely be his last and he'll play it that way. He'll play with that competitive spirit, that's all we're asking for and I'm sure he'll go out on that note."