WANGARATTA product Joe Richards will wear number 35 at Port Adelaide.
It's the first time the number has been worn at the Power in 12 years, coming out of retirement after the tragic passing of John McCarthy.
Power officials felt Richards was the perfect player to bring the number back, sharing the same Collingwood to Port Adelaide journey as the late McCarthy.
“So originally, I got contacted by Port Adelaide just after the trade period and they just asked if I wanted the number," Richards said at a press conference.
"Obviously, coming from Collingwood, similar to John, and being traded to Port Adelaide, there's a little connection there.
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"And I jumped at the opportunity as soon as they offered it up.
“There is a bit of history and obviously Chad Cornes wore it before John - so a little bit of pressure.
"But I'll try and make it my own and do as much as I can in it.”
Richards announced his desire to join the Power on the eve of the trade period with a deal eventually being struck.
The Power received the 24-year-old as part of a mega three-club deal with Gold Coast and Collingwood, along with Jack Lukosius and Rory Atkins.
“It was more about the opportunities that I get coming here, and hopefully I can make the position my own, so that was probably the main factor," Richards said.
“I definitely took my time, I think I made the decision the day before the trade period, or maybe even the day of the trade period.
"But yeah, there was a bit of a process, because Port Adelaide were obviously still in finals at the time so they were obviously focused on finals.
"My manager was doing a fair bit of work behind the scenes, obviously talking to Collingwood and weighing up whether coming to Port was the right move or staying in Collingwood.
"There was a lot of lot of stuff to think about, but I'm really happy with my decision.”
Richards will form a small forward duo with fellow Wangaratta Magpie and fresh draftee Joe Berry.
“Yeah, I knew Joe, we’re from the same area, so I caught up with him and did a few sessions with him," Richards said.
"He's fitting in really well, along with the other boys.
"He's a really good footballer, and hopefully gets to show that this year."
