Port Adelaide recruit Luke Pedlar has become the eighth player to cross the divide between Adelaide's two AFL clubs, with the former Crow making the move to Alberton during the 2026 trade period.
After six injury-interrupted seasons at West Lakes, Pedlar is embracing a fresh start at his arch-rival, with the opportunity to develop his midfield game under new coach Josh Carr a major factor in his decision.
“I've 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, I'm really excited," Pedlar said.
“One thing I was looking forward to is training a bit more as a midfielder.
“Obviously I have to earn the right to play there, but just getting my body right and then training and having a full pre-season there and seeing what I can learn off some of the other boys like (Connor) Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis and (Ollie) Wines.
“That really excites me. And then, the role forward I'm keen to keep growing in and hopefully wax between the both, maybe give some others a bit of a chop out."
Pedlar was among the final trades completed during the 2026 period, despite the relatively straightforward nature of moving the uncontracted forward from West Lakes to Alberton.
The former Pick 11 was in Antigua as negotiations unfolded between the two clubs, alongside Crows teammates Sam Berry, Hugh Bond and Max Michalanney, as he revealed the frantic final hours that saw his move to Port Adelaide finally get over the line.
“I was actually going to put the phone down and go to sleep so I wasn't too stressed,” Pedlar said.
“But it started going off with about two-and-a-half hours to go of trade period, so I had to pick it up, even though it was about 1am.
“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 is so good it went through; I could relax and know when I came home that I've got a job.
“I was in Antigua, Guatemala and I was about to hike Volcan de Fuego. So I had to get up at about 5am to do that so I think I had about an hour and a half sleep and then hiked about 16km.
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“So I was pretty buggered by the end of it.”
Pedlar's injury-riddled start to his AFL career has limited the forward-midfielder to 49 games in six seasons, and although revealing he could've stayed at the Crows, the familiar face of Tim Parnham (Port Adelaide director of athletic performance) helped solidify the move.
“I think if I wanted to stay, I could have,” he said.
“But probably 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.
“I think having a relationship with Tim when I was first drafted and really struggled with my groin, he helped me through that and set up a plan.
“I have full faith in him and worked with Jarryd Wallace (head of performance science) as well.
“So that was something that also swayed my decision and can't wait to work with those boys that really know my body and how I operate.”
Pedlar will be looking to debut for his new club in Round 1 against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, but he'll have to wait until Round 8 to face his old side in the Showdown.
