Three more emerging young stars from Adelaide’s most recent national draft have recommitted to the Club with Sam Berry, Luke Pedlar and Brayden Cook all signing two-year contract extensions.
The trio – who were all drafted in 2020 and made their AFL debuts this season – were already contracted for 2022 but are now locked away until the end of 2024.
They take the total number of players to have extended their contracts with the Club this year to 23.
After being drafted with Pick No.28 from Gippsland in Victoria, Berry made an immediate impact at AFL level by playing 17 games as a tough inside midfielder with clean hands.
“It was great to get an opportunity to play at AFL level this season and I’m really keen to build on that next year and beyond, and I’m very excited for where this Club is heading,” Berry said.
Fellow midfielder Pedlar was drafted with Pick No.11 from Glenelg and after a modified pre-season he impressed at SANFL level and played two AFL games in Rounds 16 and 17 before his season was cut short by an ankle injury.
“Obviously the group we’ve got and the culture we’re building is definitely something I want to be a part of, I’ve made some great connections this year settling into the Club and what Nicksy brings I’m all for,” Pedlar said.
Talented wingman Cook, who was drafted with Pick No.25 from South Adelaide, recovered from off-season shoulder surgery to earn his AFL debut in the Round 21 Showdown and kept his spot for the final two games of the season.
“I love how close our group is and how much support I’ve had from the older blokes in my first year, I grew up supporting the Club, it feels like home and knowing we are going in the right direction I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Cook said.
Adelaide General Manager List Management and Strategy Justin Reid said the three young players formed an important part of the Club’s future.
“We couldn’t be happier to have Sam, Luke and Brayden all recommit to the Club after their first season,” Reid said.
“All three bring different weapons and attributes to our team, clearly they have talent but they have also shown an appetite for the hard work that is required.
“It’s a credit to the work they have put in since being drafted and the development program in place at the Club that we saw them feature at AFL level this season and we are excited about what the future holds.”
