Persistence pays off for Pedlar

Consistency the key for former Kingston junior gaining Rising Star nomination

Kingston’s Luke Pedlar has been rewarded for his consistent 2023 with a Rising Star nomination, saying he was honoured to be recognised for his efforts so far this campaign.

The young forward was a key cog in Adelaide’s 66-point Round 16 win over North Melbourne on Saturday, booting two goals and collecting 11 disposals.

Pedlar was rewarded for his strong form this year, in which he has averaged 11.9 disposals and 8.3 kicks per game.

Speaking to the media last Tuesday, Pedlar said after a tough start to his AFL career he was grateful his hard work had been recognised.

“It definitely is pleasing, obviously I’ve been through a bit in the last year with injury,” Pedlar said. “Even a bit of form stuff and finding myself in the team, so it’s nice to get a bit of recognition this week.

“It’s just a bit of reward for a block of work that I’ve done this year.”

Adelaide selected Pedlar with Pick No.11 at the 2020 AFL National Draft but persistent hip, groin and shoulder injuries limited his progress and led to him playing five games in his first two seasons.

“I’ve had two shoulder reconstructions in three years so that’s a long six months of rehab,” Pedlar said. “There are just little things that pop up, I have carried groin injuries across the last few years as well.

“My first few games were a little bit rough and I probably wasn’t ready at that stage, carrying a few injuries but coming into this season and doing a (full) pre-season block has been great for me.”

Pedlar said an injury free season and knowing his role in the forward line had contributed to his breakout season so far.

“Knowing my role in the side has been really helpful and I’ve worked pretty closely with Rahls (James Rahilly) as a forward,” Pedlar said. “Getting my body and my mindset right was the main thing for me as well.

“Trying to get my core and muscles around my groin strong, that’s what I had to get done to play at the elite level.”