ZANE Peucker started his season with a clear goal – to make the state 18s side – a fairly reachable watermark for an athlete of his calibre. Not only did he achieve that, but he was also pivotal in his state’s dominant National Championships run. Pair that with a stellar season for Woodville West-Torrens, and the 17-year-old is heading into the draft as one of the most sought-after small forwards. 

Like a lot of talented junior footballers, Peucker played his career in the midfield. Unfortunately for him, SA’s engine room was packed with adept ball-winners and contested bulls, meaning the speedster was pushed forward. There, he was able to establish himself as a damaging forward-half player. 

“In the first few rounds [I was] playing as a midfielder, then got told to go play up forward for the state team,” he told Rookie Me Central at the National Draft Combine. “So that was a bit of a change-up… And since then I’ve been a bit more of a forward-mid.” 

Peucker enjoyed an overwhelmingly successful season, playing finals in both the SANFL Under 18s and school football. After returning from State duties, he relished the opportunity to line up alongside friends. 

“In school footy, I think we finished third or so, so that was pretty good. Good fun playing with your mates back there,” he said.

And out of all the talented draft prospects he played alongside this year, he singles out his Eagles midfield counterparts as his biggest inspirations. 

“Jack Cook and Jevan (Phillipou), we’ve gone through all together, and they’re always people I set to strive to be,” he said. “They were always in the state teams, so I was pushing to keep up with them and everything, and they helped push me, definitely.”  

When Cook and Phillipou stepped up to senior football in the SANFL, it left Peucker with the opportunity to once again occupy the midfield, a task he didn’t take lightly. 

“When they went up to the League side, there was definitely more midfield minutes for me… I kind of tried to step up, which I did”, he said. 

With the potentially life-changing National Draft looming, Peuker remains modest in his goals, knowing he has the capacity to improve beyond his expectations. 

“I want to finish school, I’m hoping for mid-80s ATAR,” he said. “And then I want to just keep working on my 2km running. That’s something I’ve really had to dial in over the last few seasons. In this preseason, I want to really work on that.

“I ran in the 6:50s [at the combine], which I was hoping for a bit better, but it’s alright. It’s something I’ve worked on.”