Port Adelaide's Josh Carr is running out of chances to extend his AFL career, his coach Mark Williams says.

Carr faces his former side Fremantle on Saturday night only because teammates are injured.

Williams dropped Carr after round five, the ex-Docker playing just once since, but injuries to Chad Cornes and Matt Thomas have given Carr a reprieve.

Asked if Carr, 29, is on one of his last chances, Williams said on Friday: "No doubt.

"He's fully aware of that," the coach added.

"It wasn't automatic. If Chad or Matt Thomas weren't injured, he wouldn't be playing and he knows that.

"Those opportunities come and some people grab them and never look back. Others let them slide by, so hopefully he can grab it."

Carr was a member of Port's 2004 premiership, but left to play at Fremantle the next season.

Williams welcomed him back at Alberton this year, but the 194-game veteran has struggled to make an impact.

Williams hopes playing against his former club will inspire Carr at AAMI Stadium.

"He's obviously an aggressive player and there is a fair chance he understands and knows Fremantle better than anyone," Williams said.

"I'm not into looking at the negative side of it. I'm thinking that he's one really good game away from staying in the side for the rest of the year."

The 10th-placed Power's injury losses appear insignificant against Fremantle, however, who are unable to select experienced quartet Des Headland (thigh), Michael Johnson (ankle), Luke McPharlin (hip) and Antoni Grover (calf).

But Williams was wary of underestimating the Dockers and their two debutants, Hayden Ballantyne and Clancee Pearce.

"We have got quite an array of players out of our side too, so both teams aren't absolutely at their best," Williams said.

"But both teams are working their way through it and making the most of their opportunities.

"I would think they're on the up.

"At the start of the year, things didn't go particularly well for them.

"But they've stuck with it and their young players are coming through, I'm sure Harvs (Dockers coach Mark Harvey) is pretty happy with them."

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