The Pies’ productive recruiting drive failed to deliver the desired result against 2015 wooden spooner Portland at Hanlon Park on Saturday.

Carse labelled the 32-point loss disappointing, questioning the Magpies’ commitment.

But the second-year mentor believes his charges will learn from the defeat and put in a stronger showing against Terang Mortlake this weekend.

Camperdown will use its two training runs to prepare for the Bloods, who are coming off a gallant loss to reigning premier Koroit.

“We are going back to basics – contested footy and hard work, that side of it,” Carse said.

“It won’t be pretty but it’s about winning the footy at the coal face.”

Carse said the Magpies would talk about “not getting ahead of themselves”, giving the opposition respect and the importance of work rate.

“We need to bring 100 per cent work rate every weekend,” he said.

“The sign of a good player is work rate is not a negotiable.”

Carse said Portland, with its North Ballarat Rebels-listed players starring, taught Camperdown a lesson.

He labelled the Magpies “our own worst enemy” as they played “re-active, second-paced footy all day”.

“It was not the way we wanted to start the season at all, to be honest,” Carse said.

“It was disappointing the way we approached it.

“We got caught on the back foot. We were second to all the contested balls and slow to react on the spread.

“The scoreboard flattered us, to be honest.”

Carse forecast minimal changes to the Magpies’ best 21.

But the former Redland skipper said he backed his team to respond emphatically.

“We played good, positive footy through the pre-season against Modewarre, in the Boag’s Cup and in the intra-club games,” he said.

“There were good signs from individuals and those guys then didn’t stand up on the weekend.

“You certainly don’t lose ability overnight but if you don’t play with confidence then you go in your shell.

“The one silver lining was we had no injuries and our reserves and under 18s performed well.

“There are guys putting their hands up and you have to look at that and reward that as well.”

Camperdown will unveil its new lockers on Saturday as part of a past legends gala.

The lockers will recognise premiership and 100-game players.

Carse said the current-day Magpies were determined to perform strongly in front of former players.

“There are nearly 200 tickets booked for dinner so far, so it should be a really good night at the club and it will give us more incentive to show heart and get a result,” he said.