Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr has expressed nerves at potentially suffering a pre-season injury blow in next year's AFL State of Origin match.
Several Port stars will be in the selection frame for South Australia's clash with Western Australia at Perth's Optus Stadium in late February, before the AFL season starts on March 17.
Captain Connor Rozee, ball-winner Jason Horne-Francis, winger Jase Burgoyne and forward Mitch Georgiades could all be tapped to represent their home states.
Entering his second year as coach, Carr spent time this off-season inside the four walls of EPL clubs Sunderland, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Carr compared the State of Origin situation for AFL coaches to soccer managers dealing with players being called up for international duty.
"That's something I learnt when I went overseas, they (soccer managers) don't have any say about what their players do when they go to internationals," Carr told reporters on Monday.
"And they come back and they have injuries and have to deal with it.
"(There's) no communication about how much game time or anything like that."
Perth native Georgiades (hamstring) was among players left worse for wear after this year's State of Origin revival match between WA and Victoria.
Carlton star Jacob Weitering (fractured rib), GWS defender Sam Taylor (hamstring), Gold Coast's Matt Rowell (broken finger) and Adelaide's Callum Ah Chee (hamstring) also sustained injuries.
When committing the league to the concept until 2030, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon flagged changes to the build-up for teams and the possibility of shorter quarters.
"I know the AFL like to work with the coaches in making sure they're doing what's best for clubs as well," Carr said.
"Yeah you get a little worried or nervous when the players are out there.
"You just hope that they get through."
Port endured a tough injury run in 2026, with Rozee (hamstring), key defender Esava Ratugolea (knee) and forward Jack Lukosius (Baker's cyst/calf) having their season cut short.
Like his coach, Rozee travelled to England last month to meet with a hamstring specialist known for treating EPL players with nerve issues.
Dispelling any doubts about his recovery, Rozee took to the field at Alberton on Monday as first to fourth-year players returned for pre-season training.
"I've seen him over this break in here and doing the work, and working on his body and joining in certain drills," Carr said.
"For our supporters (it's good) to see him and just get a bit of confidence that's it's not as bad as what people probably think it is.
"And as much as there's a lot of unknown about it, the known part of it is it is improving and getting better."
Carr suggested Rozee's star quality had been forgotten after he was sidelined for all but two games in 2026.
"I love seeing those mock drafts and everything now when they go back," he said.
"A year ago he was probably top two or three and then all of the sudden he's slid down the pecking order.
"You get forgotten about pretty quick in this game."
