Jump to content

Cameron Pedersen

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cameron Pedersen
Pedersen playing for Melbourne in June 2017
Personal information
Full name Cameron Pedersen
Date of birth (1987-03-17) 17 March 1987 (age 37)
Original team(s) Box Hill (VFL)
Draft No. 17, 2011 rookie draft
Debut Round 1, 2011, North Melbourne vs. West Coast, at Patersons Stadium
Height 193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 95 kg (209 lb)
Position(s) Utility
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2011–2012 North Melbourne 16 (20)
2013–2018 Melbourne 64 (50)
Total 80 (70)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2018 season.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Cameron Pedersen (born 17 March 1987) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne and the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A utility, 1.93 metres (6 ft 4 in) tall and weighing 95 kilograms (209 lb), Pedersen played the majority of his career in the forward line. After missing out on being drafted at eighteen years of age, he played five seasons in the Victorian Football League (VFL) for Box Hill. His form during the 2010 season led to him being recruited by the North Melbourne Football Club with the seventeenth selection in the 2011 rookie draft and he made his debut in the 2011 season. After two seasons with North Melbourne, playing in sixteen matches and winning the club's best first year player, he was traded to the Melbourne Football Club during the 2013 trade period.

Pre-AFL career

[edit]

Pedersen played his junior career with the Mooroolbark Football Club in the Eastern Football League where he won the club best and fairest at sixteen years of age in 2003.[1] After failing to be drafted, he joined the Box Hill Hawks in the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 2006,[2] playing in the forward line, he kicked thirty-five goals in 2009. In 2010, he was trialled as a defender and ruckman by Box Hill coach, Brendon Bolton, and he became a utility player, whereby he could play in multiple positions on the ground.[3] In May 2010, he represented Victoria when he played for the VFL in a representative match against the West Australian Football League at Leederville Oval in Perth.[4] After a successful season in the VFL, in which he played twenty matches and featured in the team's best players in ten matches,[5] he was invited to train with the Gold Coast Football Club in the week leading to the 2011 pre-season and 2011 rookie drafts.[6] It was predicted by The Age journalist, Brent Diamond, and Herald Sun journalists, Matt Windley and Nick Smart, that Pedersen would be recruited by Gold Coast in either the preseason or rookie draft.[1][3]

AFL career

[edit]

2011–2012: Early career with North Melbourne

[edit]

After missing out on selection by the Gold Coast Football Club, Pedersen was recruited by the North Melbourne Football Club with their first selection and seventeenth overall in the 2011 rookie draft.[7] He was temporarily promoted to the senior list prior to the start of the season in place of Ayden Kennedy who was placed on the long-term injury list.[8] He made his AFL debut in the opening round of the 2011 season against West Coast at Patersons Stadium where he recorded twenty disposals, fourteen hitouts, five marks, four clearances and three tackles.[9] After Todd Goldstein was a late withdrawal for North Melbourne, Pedersen was forced to play as the main ruckman against six-time All-Australian ruckman, Dean Cox.[10] Conceding ten centimeters in height to Cox, Pedersen had the advantage in the ruckman duel and was North Melbourne's "Mr fix-it" according to The Age journalist, Tim Clarke.[11]

Despite receiving praise for his performance in his debut match,[12] he was omitted for the round two match against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium for the returning Todd Goldstein.[13] He was recalled to the side for the sixty-six point loss to Geelong at Skilled Stadium in round seven.[14] He was omitted from the side the next week for the round eight match against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium;[15] playing in the VFL for Werribee, he kicked eight goals against the Northern Bullants in round eight of the VFL.[16] He returned to the AFL side the next week for the forty-seven point win against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium in round eleven.[17] He played every match for the remainder of the year, kicking eighteen goals in total, including three in a match on three separate occasions.[2] His debut season was "excellent" according to The Age reporter, Emma Quayle,[18] and he was rewarded with North Melbourne's best first year player award.[19] Furthermore, his performances during the year saw him sign a two-year contract extension[20] and he was elevated to the senior list after just the one year on the rookie list.[21]

After playing in pre-season matches in the 2012 NAB Cup,[22] Pedersen didn't play his first home and away season match until the twenty-five point loss to West Coast at Patersons Stadium in round six.[23] He played just the one match before he was omitted from the side and returned to the senior side a week later for the two-point loss against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round eight as a late inclusion,[24] before being dropped again after the one match.[25] He did not play any more matches in the AFL for the remainder of the season, and instead played in the VFL. He had strong form in the VFL,[26][27] and North Melbourne senior coach, Brad Scott, declared that, although Pedersen was playing well in the VFL and he was close to selection each week, competition for spots made it difficult for him to gain a position in the senior side.[28] After playing in just two matches for the year and sixteen in total for North Melbourne, he was traded to the Melbourne Football Club during the trade period.[29] Despite being contracted to North Melbourne until the end of the 2013 season, he cited the opportunity to play more senior matches as the key reason for his move to Melbourne.[30]

2013–2016: Move to Melbourne

[edit]

After playing every pre-season match for Melbourne in the 2013 NAB Cup,[31][32] he played his first home and away season match for Melbourne in the seventy-nine point loss to Port Adelaide at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the opening round of the season,[33] playing in a forward/ruck role.[34] In the match, he was criticised for ducking when backing back to take a mark; he was omitted from the side the next week for the match against Essendon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which then-senior coach, Mark Neeld, stated the ducking incident was not the cause of his omission.[35] After one week in the VFL playing for the Casey Scorpions, he returned to the senior side for the ninety-four point loss to West Coast at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round three.[36] He played in the AFL for three weeks before he was dropped for the round six match against Carlton at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.[37]

Pedersen returned to the senior side for the ninety-five point loss to Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round ten[38] and played the next two matches before he was dropped for the match against the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round fourteen.[39] His inability to maintain a position in the team led to The Age report, Jon Pierik, state that he had little impact on the field to that point.[40] He was recalled to the AFL side for the 122-point loss to North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium[41] and in his second match back, he played his best match of the year in the thirty-seven point loss to Greater Western Sydney, in which he recorded twenty-three disposals, seven marks and a goal, and was named in Melbourne's best players.[42] He missed the round twenty match against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium due to a stomach bug,[43] and returned for his final match of the year in the sixty-eight point loss against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round twenty-two and finished with ten matches for the year.[44]

Despite suffering from a hamstring injury in the weeks leading to the 2014 season,[45] Pedersen played in the opening round match against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, resulting in a seventeen-point loss.[46] He was used as a permanent key-forward,[47] and played pivotal roles in the round four win over Carlton – in which he kicked a goal with two minutes left to secure the win[48] – and the round nine victory against Richmond, where he recorded two goals and a game-high eight tackles.[49] He maintained a spot in the AFL side until the round twenty match against Hawthorn[50] and he played in the VFL for two weeks until he was recalled for the sixty-six point loss to West Coast at Patersons Stadium in round twenty-two.[51] He missed the final match of the year against North Melbourne and played nineteen matches for the year in total.[52] It was revealed during the season that his career was all but over at the end of 2013, with his output not matching the club's expectations; he credited this frank assessment of his first season as a key reason behind his turnaround in form.[53] He also acknowledged senior coach, Paul Roos' influence as another key reason for his improvement and he was recognised as one of the league's most improved players.[54][55]

Pedersen played his first match of the 2015 season in the sixty-eight point loss to Fremantle at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round five.[56] He retained his spot the next week for the thirty-eight point loss to Sydney at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, however, he was substituted out of the match.[57] He was initially omitted for the match against Hawthorn the next week,[58] but was a late inclusion for Jesse Hogan, where he kicked three goals and was named in Melbourne's best players by Rob Forsaith of the Australian Associated Press.[59] He retained a spot in the side for the next four weeks and played his final match of the year in the round eleven match against St Kilda, in which he suffered a season-ending injury breaking his wrist.[60] Being the final year of his contract, it was questioned by Herald Sun journalist, Jay Clark, whether Pedersen had done enough to earn a new contract;[61] it was announced in late September that he had signed a one-year contract.[62]

Pedersen played in the two point win against Greater Western Sydney at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the opening round of the 2016 season[63] and retained his spot the next week before being omitted for the round three match against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena.[64] He spent the week playing in the VFL for Casey and recorded twenty-five disposals and two goals and was named in Casey's best players by Frankston Standard Leader reporter, Paul Amy.[65] He returned to the AFL side the next week for the thirty-three point win over Richmond at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round five[66] and stayed in the side for five weeks before missing the round nine match against Brisbane at the Melbourne Cricket Ground due to illness.[67] He missed two weeks of football before playing in the VFL where he suffered a shoulder injury and missed four weeks.[68] He returned through the VFL, playing there for four weeks before returning to the AFL side for the twenty-nine point win against Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round twenty as a late inclusion for Jesse Hogan.[69] He played his final match for the year the next week in the forty point win over Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval and finished with nine matches for the year.[15] With Melbourne's forward line considered difficult to break into, he was believed to be in competition with fellow forward Chris Dawes for a spot on the list in 2017 by Fox Sport Australia journalists, Riley Beveridge and Anna Harrington,[70] and at the conclusion of the year he signed a one-year contract.[71]

2017–2018: Career best season and retirement

[edit]

Following a hamstring injury to reigning All-Australian ruck Max Gawn and a shoulder injury to replacement Jake Spencer, Pederson was called up to the senior side after spending the first five weeks in the VFL to play as an undersized ruckman. Until the return of Gawn in round 14, Pederson played the best football of his career despite being matched against much larger adversaries such as Ben McEvoy, Sam Jacobs and Todd Goldstein.

Pederson announced his retirement on 25 September 2018 after 64 games with Melbourne and 16 with North Melbourne.

Statistics

[edit]
[15]
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
2011 North Melbourne 39 14 18 5 132 59 191 74 34 1.3 0.4 9.4 4.2 13.6 5.3 2.4
2012 North Melbourne 39 2 2 1 15 7 22 10 4 1.0 0.5 7.5 3.5 11.0 5.0 2.0
2013 Melbourne 21 10 5 2 66 69 135 57 23 0.5 0.2 6.6 6.9 13.5 5.7 2.3
2014 Melbourne 21 19 14 9 136 118 254 82 58 0.7 0.5 7.2 6.2 13.4 4.3 3.1
2015 Melbourne 21 7 6 6 46 42 88 37 18 0.9 0.9 6.6 6.0 12.6 5.3 2.6
2016 Melbourne 21 9 6 7 61 66 127 38 16 0.7 0.8 6.8 7.3 14.1 4.2 1.8
2017 Melbourne 21 15 16 8 119 124 243 73 53 1.1 0.5 7.9 8.3 16.2 4.9 3.5
2018 Melbourne 21 4 3 1 21 19 40 10 11 0.8 0.3 5.3 4.8 10.0 2.5 2.8
Career 80 70 39 596 504 1100 381 217 0.9 0.5 7.5 6.3 13.8 4.8 2.7

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Diamond, Brent (7 December 2010). "Curnow hoping for a second chance in AFL". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b Boulton, Martin (25 August 2011). "Roos' late bloomer seizes opportunity". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b Windley, Matt; Smart, Nick (5 December 2010). "Versatile Hawk Cameron Pedersen chases Gold Coast Suns spot". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  4. ^ Diamond, Brent (22 May 2010). "AFL hopes put to the test in state clash". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Player Profile – Cameron Pedersen". VFL.com.au. Fox Sports Pulse. 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  6. ^ Burgan, Matt (30 November 2010). "Two added to permission to train squad". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  7. ^ "Pre-season Draft". The Age. Fairfax Media. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  8. ^ Australian Associated Press (24 March 2011). "North Melbourne to field four debutants against West Coast in Round 1". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  9. ^ "AFL round one teams". The Age. Fairfax Media. 24 March 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  10. ^ Washbourne, Michael (27 March 2011). "Mark LeCras injured but West Coast sneaks home against Kangaroos". Perth Now. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  11. ^ Clarke, Tim (28 March 2011). "Eagles' victory soured". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  12. ^ Brodie, Will (28 March 2011). "Debutants, young and old, look at home in the AFL". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  13. ^ Boulton, Martin (1 April 2011). "Proven stars bolster Cats". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  14. ^ Australian Associated Press (7 May 2011). "Kangaroos lose Hansen". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  15. ^ a b c "Cameron Pedersen". AFL Tables. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  16. ^ Diamond, Brent (22 May 2011). "Pedersen kicks eight in Werribee goal blitz". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  17. ^ Australian Associated Press (4 June 2011). "Blues recall Curnow and give Tuohy a shot". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  18. ^ Quayle, Emma (21 August 2011). "Injury-hit Dockers fading fast". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  19. ^ Murnane, Matt (6 October 2011). "Wells, Swallow share medal". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  20. ^ Clark, Jay (3 August 2011). "North Melbourne re-sign rookie revelation Cameron Pederson". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  21. ^ Niall, Jake (20 October 2011). "Roos to foot Urquhart bill". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  22. ^ Quayle, Emma (16 February 2012). "Fit Roos hope to get hop on opposition". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  23. ^ Hand, Guy; Lienert, Sam (5 May 2012). "Warnock hurt, so no rest for Kreuzer". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  24. ^ "Check out all the ins and outs for round eight of the 2012 AFL premiership season as they are announced". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  25. ^ "Football Shorts". The Age. Fairfax Media. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  26. ^ Diamond, Brent (18 June 2012). "First goals for Ablett". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  27. ^ Diamond, Brent (24 June 2012). "Blues' Laidler injures knee in comeback VFL match". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  28. ^ Quayle, Emma (26 July 2012). "McIntosh to fight for spot". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  29. ^ Landsberger, Sam (26 October 2012). "Jordan Gysberts and Cam Pedersen switch clubs". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  30. ^ Windley, Matt (28 October 2012). "Cameron Pedersen has landed at Melbourne". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  31. ^ Burgan, Matt (22 February 2013). "Pedersen relishes first run with Dees". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  32. ^ Porter, Ashley (3 March 2013). "Youngsters fire up battle of the battlers". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  33. ^ "2013 round one AFL teams". The Age. Fairfax Media. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  34. ^ Niall, Jake (1 March 2013). "Up to eight new Demons for opening round". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  35. ^ Ryan, Peter (5 April 2013). "Pedersen not dropped because he ducked: Neeld". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  36. ^ Murnane, Matt (12 April 2013). "Watts a casualty as Demons wield axe". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  37. ^ Burgan, Matt (2 May 2013). "Kent to debut, but Jamar out injured". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  38. ^ Macgugan, Mark (2 June 2013). "Blowtorch on Neeld as Hawks dominate". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  39. ^ Gardiner, Gilbert (28 June 2013). "Round 14 AFL teams: North Melbourne recalls Jack Ziebell and Robbie Tarrant". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  40. ^ Pierik, Jon (29 May 2013). "Struggling clubs 'need $2m each'". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  41. ^ Bowen, Nick (27 July 2013). "Swallow hurt as Roos blow Demons away". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Archived from the original on 16 July 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  42. ^ Sygall, David (4 August 2013). "Sheedy directs Giant step in right direction". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  43. ^ "Suns victorious Gold Coast 13.12 (90) Melbourne 10.17 (77)". The Age. Fairfax Media. 11 August 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  44. ^ "Check out who's in and who's out ahead of another action packed round of football". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  45. ^ Murnane, Matt (2 March 2014). "How your club fared in the NAB Challenge". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  46. ^ "2014 AFL round one teams". The Age. Fairfax Media. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  47. ^ Woods, Melissa (21 March 2014). "Desperate Demons look to defy Etihad hoodoo". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  48. ^ Australian Associated Press (12 April 2014). "Demons give Carlton the blues, Hawks smash Suns, Port crushes Lions, Cats chase off Eagles". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  49. ^ Hanlon, Peter (18 May 2014). "Dees bask in memorable win". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  50. ^ "2014 round 20 AFL teams". The Age. Fairfax Media. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  51. ^ "2014 AFL round 22 teams". The Age. Fairfax Media. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  52. ^ "2014 AFL round 23 teams". The Age. Fairfax Media. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  53. ^ Guthrie, Ben (7 June 2014). "'They said they weren't fussed if I was here or not'". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  54. ^ Ralph, Jon (8 June 2014). "Melbourne players speak of influence new coach Paul Roos has had on them and playing group". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  55. ^ Burgan, Matt (10 October 2014). "Pedersen rides the cult-figure wave". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  56. ^ "AFL Teams: Round Five". Yahoo7. Seven West Media. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  57. ^ King, Travis (9 May 2015). "Heeney injured as first-half blitz powers Swans over Dees". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  58. ^ "Round 7 AFL teams 2015: James Frawley returns, Jack Watts dropped, Carlton and Richmond swing axe". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  59. ^ Forsaith, Rob (16 May 2015). "Hawks show Demons no mercy in MCG mauling". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  60. ^ Guthrie, Ben (16 June 2015). "Pedersen, Grimes add to Dees' injury toll". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  61. ^ Clark, Jay (17 September 2015). "AFL trades 2015: Melbourne needs to find support for Jesse Hogan". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  62. ^ Burgan, Matt (24 September 2015). "Pedersen signs on for 2016". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  63. ^ "AFL teams: Full squads for Round 1". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  64. ^ "AFL teams Round 3, 2016: Jeremy Howe, Chris Masten, Liam Shiels named to return, Jeff Garlett injured". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  65. ^ Amy, Paul (11 April 2016). "Melbourne's young guns fire in thumping of Frankston in VFL season-opener". Frankston Standard Leader. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  66. ^ "AFL Round 5 teams: get the full line-ups and get SuperCoach latest". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  67. ^ "AFL Teams Round 9: All of the ins and outs this weekend, SuperCoach late changes, injuries". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  68. ^ Burgan, Matt (5 July 2016). "Wagner a good chance to return". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  69. ^ Ryan, Peter (6 August 2016). "Match report: Fierce Dees stun ladder-leading Hawks". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  70. ^ Beveridge, Riley; Harrington, Anna (1 August 2016). "The players that clubs out of finals contention need to make a call on in the last month of the season". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  71. ^ Burgan, Matt (6 October 2016). "Pedersen inks new one-year deal". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cameron Pedersen.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cameron_Pedersen&oldid=1247672122"