What drove Pedlar to choose Port over Crows

Luke Pedlar recently became just the eighth player to cross between South Australian rivals Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

After six seasons and 49 games for the Crows, Pedlar was traded to the Power along with Pick 34 in exchange for Pick 32 and a future fourth-rounder.

Pedlar said he met with Port coach Josh Carr on multiple occasions and that was enough to lure him to Alberton.

“It was my couple of encounters with Carry. I just look forward to playing under him,” Pedlar told on SEN SA’s Kymbo & Chad.

“He’s direct and a good fella. I just love the way he goes about it.

“He’s got a new group, he’s got some new philosophies with Port and I think we can turn around pretty quick and get back to playing finals.”

The move across Adelaide is a rare one, but Pedlar says he needed more security and opportunity at a new club.

The Crows did provide him with an offer, and there was interest from Essendon, but the move to Port just made more sense.

“There was an offer there (from the Crows), but for me personally with my history I needed a bit more security,” he added.

“So it came down to that.

“There was pretty strong interest from Essendon. At the end of the end of the day it just felt like the right move.”

The Crows selected Pedlar with Pick 11 in the 2020 draft but issues with his body have denied him from reaching his full potential.

Now he’s made the move to Alberton, he’s hoping he can put all of those worries behind him and play some regular senior footy in new colours.

“It was a pretty smooth transition and quite attractive, so I couldn’t be more happy to be honest,” the 24-year-old said.

“Everyone’s journey is different. I see players play 150 consecutive games and that just seems impossible for me.

“But being 24, and I’ve done a lot of work with loading my tendons, getting rid of the groin stuff, getting my shoulders right, and I think it’s going to hold me in good stead for the second half of my career.

“I’m coming into my prime years. Maybe I need a little bit of luck, but there’s a lot of work behind closed doors.

“I’m confident that the body will hold up and I can play some consecutive games and find some form for this footy club.”

So, what excites Pedlar most about playing for the Power?

With an unbeaten 5-0 Showdown record against Port, he’s now eager to turn the tables on his former club in the fierce rivalry.

“Still the opportunity to play in Showdowns. I think it’s one of the best rivalries in our game,” he said further.

“Whether it’s a home crowd or an away crowd, the physicality and pressure that’s on just goes to another level.

“Port have a massive history in SA footy and I can’t wait tot be involved in the club and hopefully have some success.

“Having a taste of finals footy last year, that’s what you strive to play and that’s where flags are won.”

Pedlar is confident he does have the aerobic capacity to spend more time through the midfield and cannot wait to play alongside Jason Horne-Francis, captain Connor Rozee and Sam Powell-Pepper in particular.

Listen to the full chat with Pedlar below: