Luke Pietzner overcomes injury-riddled career, ‘dreams’ of NRL chance

From battling an inflammatory disease to breaking his collarbone minutes into his rep debut, Luke Pietzner’s dream of playing the NRL hasn’t been easy but is now within sight.

A determination to overcome adversity and a willingness to adapt his game has put a Sarina football prodigy on the path to the NRL.

At 17 years of age, Luke Pietzner was a key member of Sarina Crocs’ drought-breaking grand final win in 2021, with the premiership the climax of years of injury-riddled football seasons.

Pietzner was forced to change his game style after developing Sever’s at disease 10 years old, with the inflammatory disease limiting his agility and pace.

Luke Pietzner for Sarina Crocs in the A-Grade grand final against Wests Tigers at JRL Football Field 5, Mackay. Picture: Facebook

He said the change was good for him, despite initially being reluctant to the idea of playing a different position.

“I always grew up playing fullback, but I had to change positions when I got the disease in my ankle,” he said.

“I couldn’t run so I moved to the lock and five-eighth position, and just last year I’ve moved back to fullback.”

After finally controlling the pain the disease caused, Pietzner made his debut for the Cutters under-18s program, while also making his debut for Sarina’s A-Grade in the same year.

Luke Pietzner converts for Sarina in the U16 Sarina v Moranbah clash.

His Cutters appearance was short-lived, with the fullback breaking his collarbone just two minutes into the match.

“I broke my collarbone in four places, but I was glad to make it back halfway through the season,” Pietzner said.

“I had high hopes of playing Cutters but I wasn’t sure if I’d get back to playing footy.

“To be able to get back on the field so quickly was great for me.”

Luke Pietzner for Sarina Crocs in the A-Grade grand final against Wests Tigers at JRL Football Field 5, Mackay. Picture: Facebook

Playing in the NRL has been his “dream” since a young age, but after a strong season for the Crocs the reality of playing at the elite level is not far off.

“That’s been the dream since I started when I was eight, so it would be pretty unreal to reach that,” Pietzner said.

“It would be amazing to get that chance to play for any team that gave me the opportunity.”