Adelaide forward Luke Pedlar credits strong performances during the 2022 SANFL Finals as a turning point in his AFL journey.
The Crows drafted the 20-year-old in 2020 but, across the past two seasons, he had only featured in five AFL games.
Persistent hip and groin injuries across last season also halted Pedlar's progress but he managed to play through the pain in the SANFL, and lined up in 14 State League matches.
Speaking on Sunday's episode of The Crows Radio Show on Triple M, Pedlar said lining up in Adelaide's SANFL finals campaign, which included kicking three goals against Norwood in the Qualifying Final and two majors against North Adelaide in the Semi-Final, had helped boost his confidence ahead of the 2023 AFL season.
Pedlar, who has played in Adelaide’s first two games of the season, said his solid performances in the State League last year had given him a strong foundation across pre-season and helped him be selected for Rounds One and Two.
"To feel all right and play injured gave me a lot of confidence coming into this (AFL) pre-season," Pedlar said.
"I could do it at SANFL level a little bit injured, that i could definitely play some good footy at AFL level.
"It was massive with my confidence coming into this pre-season and helped me get really motivated."
Listen to the second episode of 2023 on the LiSTNR app or below.
Tune in to Triple M Adelaide this Sunday at 9am or on the LiSTNR app for the third episode of the Crows Radio Show with Sauce and Thomo, as well as special guests Ben Keays and Brent Reilly.
