New recruit Luke Pedlar has become just the eighth male player to be listed by both South Australian AFL clubs following the trade period in October. 

Seeking a ‘fresh start’, Pedlar spoke to the Adelaide media on Thursday about the appeal of staying in Adelaide, and what he felt the Power could offer to take his game to the next level. 

The 24-year-old also touched on how his body’s feeling, Josh Carr’s vision for the group and whether Adelaide wanted to retain his services. 

Pedlar on his new colours 
“It's a good start (that it fits well). I'm looking forward to it. Love the colours, it's going to be a good year, I think. 

Pedlar on how the move came about 
“Yeah, it wasn't until pretty late in the season. Obviously, I was just focusing on getting back to playing footy, and then probably last sort of three or four rounds of the year, the opportunity was starting to look like it was on the cards. I thought for my best interest that I would love to explore it. And then I was lucky enough to get the trade done quite late, but I was pretty pumped when it all went through.” 

Pedlar on the appeal of Port Adelaide 
“I think just probably a fresh start for me. I struggled with injuries my first six years in the league, so a fresh start, new eyes, new coaches. Carry’s (Josh Carr) vision and meeting up with him really excited me, and I love the way he goes about it.” 

Pedlar on Carr’s positional plans for him 
“That was one thing I was looking forward to, is training as a bit more of a midfielder. Obviously, I’ve still got to earn the right to play there, but just getting my body right and then training, having a full pre-season there, and seeing what I can learn off some of the other boys like Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis and Wines and people like that. So yeah, that really excites me. And then there's still a role forward that I'm keen to keep growing in, and hopefully wax between both, and maybe give some others a bit of a chop out.” 

Pedlar on getting heat from former Crows teammates 
“To be fair, I thought I would have got a lot more. I've got great relationships with a lot of people there, and they’re some of my best mates. So I think the stick's fair enough, but it doesn't go too far, and I'm keen to match up against them.” 

Pedlar on his body 
“Doing the two hamstrings on my right leg in the middle of the year and not being able to get back to play was a bit disheartening. Seeing the boys play finals and after last year's final series, it was something that I was struggling to get back for. But it's all sweet now. I think not rushing back with my second one was probably the main goal, and not interrupting the start of 2027. So everything's fine now. It's going smoothly and I was able to pretty much kickstart the off-season running straight away.” 

Pedlar on his relationship with fitness boss Tim Parham 
“Yeah, I think obviously having a relationship with Tim when I was first drafted, and I really struggled with my groins, and he helped me through that and setting a plan. It took a while, but I have full faith in him, and obviously working Jarryd Wallace as well (previously at Adelaide). So that was something also that swayed my decision, and I can't wait to work with those boys that already know my body and how I operate, so it'll be good.” 

Pedlar on whether Adelaide tried to retain him 
“I think that if I wanted to stay, I could have. For me personally, I needed a little bit more security and a bit of a fresh start. So, as much as I would have loved to stay there and love everyone at the club, I think, for me personally, you've got to be selfish at the end of the day. And I’m really looking forward to playing for Port.” 

Pedlar on the trade going through late 
“I was in in Antigua, Guatemala. I was about to hike volcano Fuego, so had to get up about five o'clock to do that. So I think I had about an hour and a half sleep and then hiked about 16km. So I was pretty buggered by the end of it. 

“I was actually going to put the phone down and go to sleep (the night before), so I wasn't too stressed (about it going down to the wire). But it started going off with about two and a half hours to go (until trade deadline), so I had to pick it up. Even though it was about one o'clock in the morning, and it took a lot longer than we thought. But I was pretty confident it was going to get done as long as both parties were happy. It was so good it went through and I could relax and know that when I come home that I've got a job.” 

Pedlar on the prospect of playing the Showdown  
“Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I love the Showdown and the physicality it brings, and hopefully the supporters will love the way that I go about it. And I haven't lost a Showdown. Hopefully I can bring that to this side of town in the Prison Bars. But yeah, we'll see what happens. I'm really looking forward to it. I haven't had too many heated exchanges (with Port players in the past). Butters did give me a whack about my hairline but he’s not here anymore!” 

Pedlar on Never Tear Us Apart as an opposition player 
“It gets everyone up and about, especially the Port supporters. It's rocking when you play against them, and I will admit, it's better than the Crows. But yeah, I'm looking forward to it.” 

Pedlar on Essendon’s interest in him 
“I had to look at all options, so that was definitely one. But at the end of the day, the vision that Carry had, and the playing group, and having a relationship with a few of the players here, and then all my family, and then all my friends still at Crows here, it just was a pretty easy decision in the end. But obviously, you've got to you've got to weigh up every opportunity and see what's best.” 

Pedlar on the pressure of being a high draft pick 
“I think I was always confident when I was out on the field. It was just a matter of mentally knowing that my body could handle it, and I think at times I have proved that it can, and I played at the level. So yeah, there's always expectation, but it's good pressure. It keeps you accountable, and I want to be the best player I can be. So just a fresh start with body-wise and new eyes and new coaches, and just more experience on my end. Hopefully it all goes to plan. 

“There's confidence now (in my body), 100%. I did a whole pre-season last year, and that will hold me in great stead for this year. Even though the hamstring gave me some trouble, it's nothing serious.” 

Pedlar on being compared to Josh Carr  
“I’ve heard a bit of the narrative. He was a little bit before my time, but I’ve watched the way he went about it, and he was tough, a left footer, so I'm sure I could learn a lot with him, and can't wait to pick his brains.” 

Pedlar on his similarities to Sam Powell-Pepper 
“Yeah, he's hit me a few times in games and I’ve tried to get him back. He's a strong unit, so hopefully we can help each other up forward there and put the heat on. I think we'll go all right. He has been out of action for a while now, but I’d be keen to see him back out there and doing what he loves.”