Luke Nankervis (born 25 May 2003) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Luke Nankervis
Personal information
Full name Luke Nankervis
Nickname(s) Skywalker, Jedi,[1] Nank
Date of birth (2003-05-25) 25 May 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Victoria
Original team(s) Sandringham Dragons (Talent League)
Bentleigh (SFNL)
Draft No. 2, 2022 pre-season draft
Debut Round 19, 2023, Adelaide vs. Melbourne, at MCG
Height 134 cm (4 ft 5 in)
Weight 55 kg (121 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder / Defender
Club information
Current club Adelaide
Number 27
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2023– Adelaide 24 (1)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2024.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early career

edit

Luke Nankervis played eight games for Sandringham in 2021, kicking four goals and averaging 13.5 disposals as an athletic half-forward.[2] Born and raised in Victoria, Nankervis played amateur football for Bentleigh in the Southern Football Netball League in his youth. He won a premiership for the club at under-16 level.

The coronavirus pandemic and an ongoing knee injury postponed Nankervis' draft year in 2021.[3] Nankervis had to wait until the New Year, and ultimately was drafted by Adelaide with the second selection of the 2022 pre-season draft.[4]

AFL career

edit

Before the 2023 season, Luke Nankervis extended his contract with the Crows for an additional two seasons, securing his place in the playing list until at least the end of 2025.[5] He averaged 21.5 disposals and a goal during the 2022 SANFL finals series. Prior to 2023, Nankervis had played almost exclusively as a half-forward flanker playing in Adelaide's reserves team. He moved to a more defensive role during the 2023 SANFL season, playing as a running half-back.[6] He excelled in the role change, and earned an senior debut in round 19 of the 2023 season against Melbourne at the MCG.[7] Nankervis collected 16 disposals as a half-back flanker on debut.[8] In 2024, Nankervis is becoming one of Adelaide's more consistent young talents, slowly shifting into a role on the wing.

Following a career-best game of 28 disposals, 10 marks, and 10 intercept possessions against Richmond, Nankervis was awarded with the Rising Star nomination for round 13, 2024.[9] His first career goal was a 50-meter set shot which came in the final round of 2024 against Sydney.

Personal life

edit

Nankervis has two older brothers – Ryan and Joel – and a younger sister, Milly.[1] Their father, Paul, was listed with the Melbourne Football Club's under 19s squad in the 1980s, but never played senior VFL football.[4][3]

Since October 2022, he lives with fellow Victorians and current teammates Josh Rachele and Jake Soligo.[10]

Statistics

edit

Updated to the end of 2024.[11]

Legend
  G  
Goals
  K  
Kicks
  D  
Disposals 
  T  
Tackles
  B  
Behinds 
  H  
Handballs 
  M  
Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2022 Adelaide 27 0
2023 Adelaide 27 4 0 0 36 18 54 18 13 0 0 9.0 4.5 13.5 4.5 3.3
2024 Adelaide 27 20 1 1 191 149 340 100 36 0.1 0.1 9.6 7.5 17.0 5.0 1.8
Career 24 1 1 128 99 227 80 27 0.0 0.0 9.5 7.0 16.4 4.9 2.0

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Harvey, Daniela (9 December 2021). "15 Questions: Luke Nankervis". Adelaide Football Club.
  2. ^ "Luke Nankervis Draft Profile". Rookie Me Central.
  3. ^ a b Uhe, Marcus. "Luke Nankervis: Apprentice jedi". sandringhamdragons.com.au. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Pre-season Draft Selection: Luke Nankervis". Adelaide Football Club. 26 November 2021.
  5. ^ Playford, Harry (25 January 2023). "Adelaide re-sign young forward Luke Nankervis". Zero Hanger.
  6. ^ Standish, Zac (14 June 2023). "Nankervis relishing role change in 2023". Adelaide Football Club.
  7. ^ Harvey, Daniela (23 July 2023). "Nankervis to debut against the Dees". Adelaide Football Club.
  8. ^ "Melbourne vs. Adelaide Crows - Match Stats - July 23, 2023". ESPN. 23 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Impressive young Crow lands Rising Star nomination". AFL. 11 June 2024.
  10. ^ Harvey, Daniela (5 January 2023). "The friendship pushing Rachele to new heights". Adelaide Football Club.
  11. ^ "Luke Nankervis". AFL Tables. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
edit