Returning forward Sam Powell-Pepper is nearing closer to full contact training after a devastating knee injury cut his season short last year.  

The father of two (with one on the way) said his family drove him through the most challenging parts of his rehab, and have helped him find a new perspective.  

The 27-year-old spoke with the Adelaide media on Thursday at the club’s photo day about the importance of family, his rehab and the forward line. 

Powell-Pepper on getting closer to a return from injury 
“Yeah, definitely it's very exciting, especially being back out on the track. Spent countless hours on those bikes over there behind the glass windows. So yeah, I'm just grateful to be back out there and games are just around the corner too so I’m looking forward to it. 

“I think, what's it been now? Close to 10 months now. So like I said before, just countless hours in the gym, on the bike and not being able to get out there and just do a basic warm up. So I'm grateful for everything now, even just a basic warm up, like running around the squares, is something I appreciate as well.” 

Powell-Pepper on gaining new perspective 
“Especially not being able to play games as well. I spoke about it before about my favourite part about the games is the kids running to me after the game, and just the feeling of winning and playing with the boys and just being a part of it is something that I've missed quite a bit.  

Powell-Pepper on learning to lead off the field 
“I think why the boys picked me as one of their leaders is for the things I bring on the field and the way I play and lead by example. So I did have to find quite a few different ways to become a leader in other ways. So I think building those relationships with the younger boys and people that I don't normally speak to all the time, and catch up outside the club. So just getting to know everyone on a deeper level and finding more about them. And I think as I'm getting back into games and back to playing, I want to still keep learning and developing other ways of my leadership. So think I've improved quite a bit, and I just can't wait to be leading by example as I said, because that's probably my favourite way to lead.” 

Powell-Pepper on the new-look forward line 
“It's so exciting. They're such hard working young players, and for me personally, coming back out there and training with them, they picked up on the game plan so well, and they fit in with the team as well, really well. So I think the forward line is going to be a tight knit group this year, and looking forward to watching them play this year and years to come.” 

Powell-Pepper on what rehab steps are next 
“I think to eventually take off pink hat, which is non-contact. I think that's within the next week or two. So tick that off, and then that's pretty much it, I reckon. Just play some consistent footy going into round one, or if it's not round one, then whenever I get back in, whenever the body's 100 per cent.” 

Powell-Pepper on where he feels he’s at 
“Yeah, physically and mentally, yes (I feel ready). But I think once I start playing actual footy match play tomorrow, games without the pink hat, I think I’ll gain a lot more confidence off that. But physically, I feel fitter than I ever have and mentally, I feel so much stronger as well. 

“At the start of my rehab, I was really thinking about when my first run will be, when I can start training again. I was probably thinking about it (being aware of my knee) then, but now that I've actually put all the hours of work into the gym and I'm back out there training, I haven't thought about it once. So, credit to a lot of the High Performance team that have helped me get to where I am now. They've really built a lot of confidence in myself, and I feel confident in my knee as well. So yeah, I don't think about it too much anymore.” 

Powell-Pepper on how his family has driven his recovery 
“I think when it initially happened, I was pretty down in the dumps, and I think I've spoken to you about it before, how much my family puts everything into perspective, and they've helped me quite a lot with my recovery. And like you said, I've got another little baby on the way as well. So that's something that makes you want to work even harder as well. I'm just very grateful for not only the family I have around me, but the family I have at the club as well.” 

Powell-Pepper on wanting a big family 
“I've always said that I've wanted a big family, you know, because growing up, I didn't really have big family get-togethers and big Christmases and all that sort of stuff. So I want to be able to sit back when I'm older and just look at the family that I've created, you know? So, yeah, I don't know if we'll be slowing down (yet). If it's a boy, maybe, but if not, we'll see how we go.” 

Powell-Pepper on having all the kids at photo day 
“I think it's exciting, because when Connor and Darcy and boys that are freshly new fathers, they see our kids running around at photo day, I think they get a little kick out of it. Now they've had their own kids, I think they're really excited for it as well. So it's a good little thing that the club puts on for the boys, and hopefully it's tradition going forward.” 

Powell-Pepper on Todd Marshall’s injury 
“It's obviously really heartbreaking. I've been in the same position. But the thing that I said to him was just, you know, you're not going to do it on your own. I'm going to be there every step of the way, because I know how lonely it can get. But he's such a mentally tough bloke, and he's been through so much himself. I think this is just a little bump in the road for him, and he'll do everything he can to get back to be fit and firing.”  

Powell-Pepper on having a smaller forward line 
“I think obviously, we've got quite a few small forwards at the moment, and they're all very handy players, and they all fit in nicely and whatever the coaches (choose to do), we’ll do. At the moment we’re training really well together and gelling well as a forward line. We're still getting to know each other out on the field.” 

Powell-Pepper on his position this year 
“Yeah, I haven’t heard anything different and I've been training in the same position as well, so hoping I can just fit straight back in and play my role.” 

Powell-Pepper on upcoming practice matches 
“For me, personally, I would love to play a couple of practice games just to get some confidence leading into the season. But if everything's tracking nicely, which it is at the moment, I think I should be able to play a couple of the games. I'm just more focusing on each session, and hopefully next week I get to take the pink hat off and we'll go from there.”