But on Sunday afternoon, Carr will don the black, white and teal once again when he runs out onto AAMI Stadium in his first official game since returning to the Power in October.
Carr, 28, endured a tough final season at Fremantle as he tried to suppress an overwhelming desire to return to Alberton.
Now, having completed his most enjoyable pre-season to date, Carr says he’s ready to repay the club he walked out on four years ago.
“My body is feeling really good. I haven’t missed too many sessions this pre-season and having the hunger there is where you get your fitness,” Carr said.
“It’s easy to cruise through and look like you’re hurting, but to get that extra 10 per cent out of yourself you need that hunger and that you want to be there in the back of your mind to push yourself.
“I’ve been able to do that through the fitness staff and the people around me. All the foundations have been laid for everyone over the pre-season. Now, it’s about putting it to work and that starts in round one.”
Sunday’s season opener against Essendon at AAMI Stadium will also be Dom Cassisi’s first game as captain.
Carr, who was a vice-captain at Fremantle, was recently added to the Power’s nine-man leadership group and said he was looking forward to helping his good mate out in the new role.
“Back in 2004, Dom was a little bit quieter, but I always saw there was leadership potential there. As the years have gone on, I’ve seen him mature and grow into the person he is now,” Carr said.
“I know he’s got a lot on his plate now as far as being captain goes and any experience that us guys behind him can offer, we’d like to give. This was my first pre-season not being in a leadership group for a long time, so I could focus on trying to get things right and get on the list.
“Now that the season is here and I’m in the leadership group, I think I have a bit to give back.”
The profile of Port Adelaide’s list has changed dramatically since Carr sought a trade to play alongside brother Matthew in his native Western Australia.
Gone are names like Gavin Wanganeen, Byron Pickett, Darryl Wakelin, Matthew Bishop, Roger James and (now assistant coach) Matthew Primus.
And in are young talents like Travis Boak, Nathan Krakouer, Justin Westhoff, Robbie Gray, Alipate Carlile and Hamish Hartlett.
“I was excited just watching the young players coming through when I was playing against them and to actually see them train and in front of me, I’ve been surprised at how good the list is,” Carr said.
“Being an outsider looking in, you don’t realise how much depth there is. Our young guys coming through have a lot to give and a lot of talent.”
Carr watched on with envy as his former teammates returned to the game’s greatest stage in 2007 and he said he was hopeful of tasting more premiership success before the end of his career.
“Finals footy is the only reason we play,” he said.
“I only had one finals stint at Fremantle and I think, from this pre-season so far, there’s no reason why we can’t play finals and give it a bit of a nudge.”
Dream Team watch – Josh Carr is rated a $331,300 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009
