South Aussie Jacob Wehr has returned to his old stomping ground after five years at GWS, returning home as an unrestricted free agent.
The Woodville-West Torrens premiership player, who was taken as a mature-aged recruit in the 2020 national draft, is hoping for more consistent opportunity at AFL level as a Port Adelaide player.
Speaking with the Adelaide media on Tuesday, Wehr discussed his decision to move clubs, what his opportunity looks like at the Power and which teammates he’s looking forward to reuniting with.
Wehr on being home in South Australia
“Stoked to be back. Great to be back around family. Great to be here. Super excited for the coming years. And can’t wait to get stuck into it.
“Maybe post-footy, I thought (I would come back to South Australia). But when this opportunity came up, it was hard to turn down.”
Wehr on the opportunity at Port Adelaide
“(I’ve been given) an opportunity to come in and compete for a spot. I was in and out of the side at the Giants and I’m hoping to come in and contribute on and off the field here. So I’m looking forward to that. Expecting to play mostly wing. I spent most of my time there, with a little bit of half back. But hopefully can get out there on the wing.
“I was very impressed (by my conversations with Josh Carr). He laid out his vision for the club and sort of how I fit into that. I can't wait to get stuck into pre-season with all the new coaching group and all my new teammates.
Wehr on his hopes for his time at Port Adelaide
“(I’m hoping for) some continuity in terms of playing games. Nothing's come easy, but yeah again, just grateful to Port for the opportunity, and hopefully I can repay the faith that they've shown in me.”
Wehr on the type of player he is
“I’m a left footer. I like to think I'm pretty clean and use it fairly well. And yeah, will do whatever the team asks, and whatever will help us win.”
Wehr on his new teammates
“It’s a very talented list, but it'd be a long list (that I’m excited to play with), but in my junior days, I spent a bit of time with a few Woodville boys, I played for Woodville. So Lachie Jones and Jack Lukosius and those type of guys. It would be good to reunite with them.
“I’ve felt a lot of love from the whole playing group, really, and the coaches as well. So everyone's been very accommodating. I’ve had a lot of messages and feel extremely welcome.”
Wehr on the number 10 guernsey being vacant
“There would be some pretty big shoes to step into – I don’t think I’ll be rolling around in the number 10.”
Wehr on the fan and media attention in Adelaide
“Yeah, it is good to feel the passion of South Australia and how they dive into their footy. So, yeah, it's exciting. It's not something that I've been used to. But it’s exciting.
“It will be good to have (Port fans) on side. It's always been a hostile environment to come from and play in front of the fans and to have them going against you. So yeah, exciting to be on the right side of that.”
Wehr on Showdowns
“I’ll probably finally circle that one on the calendar. That is something I'm looking forward to being a part of. Like you said, I grew up watching it. The atmosphere is always incredible and it’s always really tight tussle. So yeah, hoping to play a part in them.
Wehr on his AFL team growing up
“I wasn't aligned to any sort of team. I had plenty of favourite players. But (now I’m) Port Adelaide through and through!”
