Image Credit: Naomi Jellicoe/The Messenger

POSITION: Inside Midfielder/Forward

DRAFT ANALYSIS: “Perhaps the biggest ‘bull’ in this draft, Pedlar is as hard as they come. His power and scoreboard impact separate him from other strong bodied midfielders in the 2020 cohort.” – Ed Pascoe

Glenelg and Prince Alfred College (PAC) representative Luke Pedlar started the year in fine form and despite missing selection in South Australia’s Academy Hub, he was able to earn a combine invite - which was a similar situation to last year's draft bolter Harry Schoenberg. Unlike Schoenberg, Pedlar wasn’t able to represent his state at this year's National Championships due to the Covid situation, and a late season injury meant he would miss both PAC’s Grand Final and also the All-Stars game. It means Pedlar could keep going under the radar, which may have not been the case if 2020 went smoothly for the 183cm midfielder. Pedlar is as tough as they come and despite a shoulder injury last year and knee injury this season, he could still be a factor for this year's draft given he boasts plenty of traits scouts will love and a style that holds up well for finals football. Also a talented cricketer, Pedlar has sport running through his veins and is a natural athlete and competitor.

STRENGTHS:

• Contested Game
• Power
• Tackling
• Scoreboard Impact
• Leadership
• Work-rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Finesse
• Clean hands

A midfield bull is a common term used for the likes of Joel Selwood and Ollie Wines, and Pedlar fits that term more than any other draft prospect this year. Pedlar will always put his head over the ball and will never deviate no matter what comes at him. A season-ending shoulder injury last year hasn’t detoured the young Glenelg prospect from continuing to put his body on the line and it's easy to see why he was named as PAC’s captain as he leads by example. It was unfortunate that Pedlar missed PAC’s Grand Final win due to a knee injury, but he was a strong performer for the school team, often winning plenty of the ball and rotating forward to kick multiple goals. He is a strong mark overhead and great tackler so he will certainly worry plenty of defenders at the next level.

Pedlar wasn’t able to test at the start of the year or the end of the year which was unfortunate but his ability to burst away from packs and take strong marks inside 50 would lend to him having jumping power and speed, which is a great combination to have in the modern game, especially playing a role that demands those traits at the next level. Standing at 183cm, he will likely start his career as a small forward before eventually moving into the midfield rotations. He may never become a full time midfielder at the next level, but he is a proven goal kicker so he at least has that under his belt. The role he plays isn't too dissimilar to how Patrick Dangerfield and Jack Ziebell are used for their clubs as powerful midfielders able to go forward and provide a strong marking option while also bringing leadership and physicality.

Pedlar has looked at his best when he is giving multiple efforts in a forward chain and he is often rewarded for selfless plays up the field. A few instances of his work-rate and power came to the fold came in one game against North Adelaide at the start of the year, with the first highlight starting with a great smother which he followed up to recover the ball himself and drive it forward. To top that play all off, he would end up laying a huge bump on an opponent. The second play came from a great chase to bowl over his opponent, spilling the ball loose for his teammates to gather. Again, he would follow up to receive the ball and burst away from the congestion, leaving the opposition in his wake and then finally using the ball well on his trusty left foot.

Pedlar can look flashy bursting way from packs but it's his disposal after the fact that can let him down, often bombing the ball or scrubbing a kick running flat out. He is a long and penetrating kick but it can come unstuck when he doesn’t settle down and lower his eyes. He has proven he can hit up some nice targets by hand and foot when he takes a split second to compose himself, so adding a little bit of finesse to his game could go a long way to ironing out his common mistakes and making him an even more impactful player.

The shoulder injury last year might have impacted this, but he isn't quite a one-touch player when gathering ground balls which is a very important trait to have as a midfielder. As much of a bull that he is, he needs to be able to turn every ground ball he wins into a clean gather to further maximise his biggest trait which is his ability to clear a path and attack the ball with intensity. If you don’t take the ball with you, it's just not as effective. His injury concerns with a shoulder and knee are unfortunate and could be a key reason as to why he doesn’t get drafted, with clubs waiting to see if he can get a full season under his belt.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Third Round-Late

Pedlar did well to impress in the SANFL Under 18s early in the year and took that form into his school football, but another unfortunate injury again cut his season short, not giving him a chance to test at the combine or play in the SA All-star games. The fact Pedlar received an invite to the combine should give him relief that he may have done enough to get drafted in 2020. With his unique traits to not only win the contested ball but also burst away from a stoppage, a club could take a gamble on the injury problems and bring in a bull who will leave nothing out on the field.

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