Port Adelaide's nine AFL recruits have been allocated player numbers ahead of season 2025.   

Skillful small forward Joe Richards will wear number 35, last worn by the late John McCarthy in 2012.  

McCarthy played 21 AFL games for Port Adelaide and 18 for Collingwood, before he lost his life on a post-season trip in September 2012.  

In his memory, Port Adelaide retired his number 35 guernsey soon after his tragic passing.  

Now, 12 years later, the McCarthy family has supported the decision to bring the number back on field, with former Collingwood player Richards the perfect option to take it.  

Richards, who arrived at the Power from Collingwood during the recent trade period, was honoured to assume the 35. 

“It’s a huge privilege to be trusted to wear the number 35,” Richards said.  

“When the club approached me to wear this number, I had no hesitation in accepting the offer.  

“I didn’t know John, but from what I have heard about him, it sounds like we share similar values and passion for footy.  

“We were both recruited from Collingwood to Port Adelaide, so there is a nice connection there.   

“From what I've learned, John's greatest strength was his care for his teammates and those he connected with. I’m incredibly humbled by the opportunity.”  

Port Adelaide Chief Executive Matthew Richardson felt the time was right for the number 35 to return.  

“Bringing the number 35 back into our playing squad is an important moment for our club,” Mr Richardson said.  

“We are grateful to the McCarthy family for their support. We are pleased for Joe and look forward to seeing him make number 35 his own.” 

“The number 35 is a significant number at our club. Before John, Chad Cornes wore the guernsey with great distinction as an AFL Premiership player and two-time All-Australian.”  

All new recruits have now been given their guernsey numbers, with forward Jack Lukosius to wear 12, Rory Atkins to don the 32, while Logan Evans has moved up the order to take the retired Charlie Dixon’s 22. 

Pick 15 in the recent Telstra National Draft Joe Berry will wear 5, and category B rookie and former basketballer Jacob Moss has number 42. 

Draftees Jack Whitlock (17), Christian Moraes (31), Tom Cochrane (37) have all been given their first AFL numbers, while category B rookie Benny Barrett will wear the 40. 

New guernsey numbers  

5 – Joe Berry 
12 – Jack Lukosius 
17 – Jack Whitlock 
22 – Logan Evans 
31 - Christian Moraes 
32 – Rory Atkins 
35 – Joe Richards 
37 – Tom Cochrane 
40 – Benny Barrett
42 – Jacob Moss