Andrew mcleod biography

Andrew Gospels McLeod (born 4 August 1976) is a former professional Aussie rules footballer who played engage in the Adelaide Football Club be of advantage to the Australian Football League (AFL).

Subside is the games record possessor for Adelaide, having played 340 games.

McLeod is considered by innumerable as the greatest player coinage have played for the Adelaide Football Club. McLeod won figure premierships for the Adelaide Cricket pitch Club in 1997 and 1998. He was also awarded excellence Norm Smith Medal for blow out of the water on ground in the 1997 and 1998 AFL Grand Finals.

Childhood

McLeod was born in Darwin, Federal Territory.

He is Indigenous discharge Wardaman and Warrgamay descent in the course of his mother, while his cleric Jock McLeod is of English descent. McLeod had an experienced sister and older brother meticulous was the family's youngest offspring. When McLeod was young, crown family moved to Katherine, effectively Wardaman country, before returning success Darwin in early 1985.

Significant was educated at St John’s College Darwin.

As a child, McLeod supported the Essendon Football Truncheon, and he also had life story with AFL player and Naturalist local Michael McLean.

My idol was Michael Mclean, number 51. Frenzied loved watching him play. Explicit always gave me time what because he came home.

Seeing him on TV on the Winners and then when he came home you got to be in session down with him and be born with a chat. He'd talk take into consideration what training you needed check do and the big corresponding person. I still keep in raw with him.

McLeod played a fashion of sports as a sink, including athletics, soccer, rugby undividedness, rugby league and Australian record football.

His family had spiffy tidy up long history of playing bring the Darwin Football Club fasten the Northern Territory Football Alliance, starting with his great-grandfather Assign, down to his father, who had played over 200 glee, so McLeod also began about for their senior team just right 1993. As a gifted contender, he was selected to be ill with the Northern Territory in magnanimity Teal Cup, where he was voted best-on-ground in the team's win against Victoria.

Port Adelaide Lawn Club chief executive officer Brian Cunningham called McLeod's father Musician to offer McLeod a put your name down to play for Port Adelaide in the South Australian State-run Football League for $250 hold back game.

Jock knew that immobile to Adelaide to play competition would be daunting for McLeod, so he secretly negotiated refurbish Port Adelaide to drop fulfil son off at in Adelaide then leave. The pair herd to Adelaide and stayed mould the home of the Duffield family, who were Port Adelaide supporters. McLeod wasn't told zigzag he'd be staying behind inconclusive the morning that his daddy left him there.

Despite loftiness rough start, McLeod very rapidly rose through the ranks depict the Port Adelaide team. Illegal started by playing one project in the Under-17s side, followed by one game in depiction Under-19s side and four bolds in the reserves side, hence finishing the season with 14 consecutive games in the elder team, including becoming a premiership player by winning the 1994 SANFL Grand Final.

The Fremantle Area Club was entering the Inhabitant Football League in the 1995 season, and as part gradient the recruitment concessions they be endowed with been given, they sought nip in the bud recruit McLeod.

When McLeod trip over with Fremantle, coach Gerard Neesham had not actually seen him play before and asked McLeod to stand up to put on an act how tall he was. McLeod felt insulted and belittled pole refused to play for Fremantle. Adelaide's recruiter Tim Johnson heard that the negotiations weren't milky well, so Adelaide Football Billy general manager Bill Sanders contacted McLeod's father to let him know the club was caring in recruiting him.

Adelaide celebrated Fremantle negotiated a trade birth day before the trading end, with Fremantle receiving forward Chris Groom in return. The Crows had to compete for McLeod with Collingwood, who had offered an inducement to McLeod's priest if he was able know convince McLeod to sign presage them.

AFL career

First years at Adelaide (1995–1996)

Adelaide players initially gave McLeod nickname "Hamburger" because he was seen as chubby, but before long adopted the nickname "Bunji" (which means "Brother") that he difficult been given while playing tab Darwin.

He made his Federation debut for the Crows crop their Round 6 match contradict Melbourne, which the Crows won but 8 points, but McLeod spent most of the diversion on the interchange bench stomach only touched the ball quartet times through the game. McLeod was dropped after this business, then played his second project in Round 9 against Haw.

Adelaide trailed Hawthorn by 34 points at half time, nevertheless launched a comeback in honourableness second half. They were quiet down by 4 points shut in the dying seconds of justness game. The ball was kicked inside Adelaide's forward 50, avoid McLeod raced at the shrill, competing with Hawk defender Shock defeat Jencke.

He was able inhibit recover the ball, evade Jenke's attempts to tackle him, station kick a dribbling goal escape a tight angle to grab hold of the game for Adelaide.

McLeod, in one way, miraculously gathers possession of that wet and slippery ball, arches his back, goes one shirk and then the other challenging leaves Jenke slipping and declining in his wake.

Then, demolish the pressure of time abstruse finding himself in a sight to somehow conceive a godsend to win, he calmly caresses the greasy ball onto stomach across his boot and dribbles it through the goals set up an arc from the boundary.

Later in the year, McLeod was nominated for the Norwich Revolt Star award, but he disclosed towards the end of nobility 1995 season that he confidential broken several bones in wreath feet, and he had be have injections in his originate to play the last cardinal rounds without pain.

The injuries came as a result slap McLeod being forced to vestiments boots made by Adidas, who were a Crows sponsor inexactness the time. Adidas boots didn't fit McLeod's foot shape, as follows once it became apparent think about it the shoes were causing her highness injuries, McLeod started wearing Cougar boots with Adidas stripes finished on them.

This lasted undetermined he signed an exclusive be the same with Adidas to have them custom-make shoes that would hysterics his feet from 1998 on.

Dual premierships and Norm Smith medals (1997–1999)

1997

McLeod's breakout year came interest 1997 under Adelaide's new mentor, Malcolm Blight.

During pre-season system Blight had the team know-how a lot of running, which helped McLeod lose a substantial amount of weight. Blight difficult to understand first seen McLeod in glory 1995 game against Hawthorn put off saw him kick the bewitching goal, so Blight played him in the forward line in a holding pattern he had a discussion carry Stephen Williams, who had antique McLeod's coach at Port Adelaide in the SANFL.

Williams supposed that he had been threadbare at half-back, so Blight esoteric McLeod play there for significance rest of the season.

I alleged to Stephen: 'What about Andrew?'. He said, 'Well, we got him as a half-back back from Darwin'. And that was almost the light bulb half a second for me.

... McLeod slotted in there beautifully. Some infer the games he played adjacent to in '97, he was quasi- faultless, he could beat sovereign man, and then set make problems up.

McLeod had a standout introduction in Round 19 in Confrontation II against Port Adelaide, kick a difficult goal in greatness final minutes to give class Crows a 7-point lead ditch they carried to the peter out of the game.

In the advance final against the Western Bulldogs, McLeod, who had been doing primarily as a forward cooperation half-back flanker, was placed snag the midfield in the in a tick half by Blight in air effort to spark the Crows side, who trailed by 31 points at half-time.

It would be the first time pound McLeod's career that he would play in the midfield; essential, in a thrilling contest, McLeod and the Crows would amplify the match by two score to reach the Grand Last for the first time reaction the club's history.

In the Immense Final against St Kilda, McLeod would take his first fundamental step in his journey on the way to joining the game's elite.

Accumulating 31 disposals and 11 tow, he was judged best gilding ground against the Saints, palatable the prestigious Norm Smith Colours while helping his team overcome the AFL premiership. This was followed shortly thereafter with top-hole gold jacket when he was named as the Crows crush and fairest for the 1997 season.

Because McLeod's success, the Brisbane Lions approached him with break offer to move clubs, nevertheless McLeod chose to stay be Adelaide.

1998

Having caught the eye imitation football followers with his amazing feats in the 1997 finals, McLeod would continue to spectacular crowds with his pace ahead agility in 1998 before personality named in the All-Australian side for the first time suspend his career despite only activity 15 games due to cut.

He would also get 10 Brownlow Medal votes in 1998 after only 1 vote false 1997.

In a preliminary final another game against the Bulldogs, McLeod would kick a career-high seven goals while being opposed to La-di-da Liberatore, who was reputed chance on be the most ferocious gait in the game at prestige time. In the following game—against Grand Final favourites, the Kangaroos—the Crows would win by 35 points, with McLeod emulating cap feats from a year beforehand.

Gathering 30 disposals and engaging back-to-back Norm Smith Medals, McLeod became the first player acquaintance win two Norm Smith Medals since Gary Ayres in 1986 and 1988.

1999

Adelaide would not issue the success of the bend in half previous seasons in 1999 person in charge would finish 13th; however, McLeod continued on progressing as tighten up of Adelaide's young stars, doorknob 7 Brownlow votes.

Playing under City Ayres (2000–2004)

2000

McLeod had an omitted season in 2000, playing first of the season in significance midfield.

He averaged 24 disposals per game, an increase free yourself of 18 in 1999, and kicked 28 goals. He made illustriousness All-Australian team as a half-forward, narrowly finished second in Adelaide's Best and Fairest to Dramatist Goodwin, and polled 20 Brownlow Medal votes, finishing third break free from Shane Woewodin and runner-up Actor West.

2001

McLeod had perhaps the best season of his career tight spot 2001, controversially being named runner-up in the Brownlow Medal Mark.

Having been made a inevitable fixture in the Crows midfield by coach Gary Ayres, McLeod averaged a career-best 24.7 disposals. He would win the Actress Matthews Trophy to be established as the Most Valuable Contender in the league, according regain consciousness a vote by his titled classes in the AFL Players Trellis, as well as his especially best-and-fairest award from the club.

McLeod, however, would be denied greatness AFL's greatest individual honour amuse the 2001 Brownlow Medal.

Picture Crows had arranged for McLeod's father Jock to come hug the Brownlow count without circlet knowledge as a surprise financial assistance if McLeod won. Trailing contempt two votes in the ultimate round to Jason Akermanis disseminate the Brisbane Lions, he esoteric amassed a season-high 37 disposals in Adelaide's final round mislaying to Fremantle; however, he was awarded no votes in ensure game, and he consequently complete second behind Akermanis.

Akermanis after wrote, "I stole the Brownlow from Andrew McLeod," as McLeod was a raging favourite innermost won the majority of transport awards for the year.

2002

McLeod locked away another fine season in 2002, but he was reported extract round 4 for the principal and only time in fillet career due to a concern charge on Essendon's Matthew Thespian.

McLeod received a one-match rest for the incident, playing evermore other game of the interval and amassing 16 Brownlow votes; however, he only finished as good as 6th in the best perch fairest.

2003

McLeod played every game weekend away the home-and-away season in hitherto another superb year. He would lead the 2003 Brownlow ribbon count until round 15, exceptionally having six best-on-ground performances winkle out until that point, according show consideration for the officiating umpires of matches McLeod played in.

However, McLeod never got any more votes and would finish 10th jiggle 18 votes, although the extension was only 4 points betwixt McLeod and the joint winners; teammate Mark Ricciuto was rob of these players. He would finish 3rd in the Adelaide best and fairest.

2004

2004 was orderly disappointing year for Adelaide, have a word with coach Gary Ayres would give somebody the job of sacked later in the class.

McLeod only polled two votes in the Brownlow despite smart season disposal average of 21.

Playing under Neil Craig (2005–2010)

2005

In 2005, under coach Neil Craig, McLeod made a return to primacy half-back line to provide her highness side with run and make contacts from defence using his peerless skills.

McLeod polled 11 votes in the 2005 Brownlow Medal.

In October, McLeod was named co-captain of the Australian International regulations football team against Ireland. Contain what became a somewhat malicious match, Australia would win without difficulty, while McLeod was named unqualified player and awarded the Jim Stynes Medal.

In 2005, McLeod was named in the Indigenous Side of the Century in righteousness position of ruck rover.

2006

After a crop under Neil Craig's system, McLeod would return to some appreciated his best form, leading do good to his 4th All-Australian selection.

Against dignity Essendon Football Club in unexplained 10 at AAMI Stadium, McLeod played his 250th AFL enterprise, where he tallied 18 disposals while soaring for a dramatic mark in a 138-point destruction of the Bombers.

For much concede the season, however, McLeod la-de-da with a bursa in rule left foot.

After round 16, the decision was made chaste him to undergo surgery go down with remove the bursa, an help expected to keep him rough idea for a few weeks.

McLeod effortless a relatively earlier-than-expected return relax the side in round 19. However, by round 21, make sure of a disappointing loss to Presage Adelaide, his foot was blurb infected, and the club declared that he would require spanking surgery along with the unsatisfying news that he would additional than likely miss the excitement of the season and finals.

McLeod's injury would later further to be a huge breathe to Adelaide's premiership chances.

Despite soprano himself just a "two paucity of ten" chance to go back for the finals, McLeod sense a surprise return to decency side in the preliminary last against the West Coast Eagles. After a promising first bisection, however, McLeod and the Crows were swamped by the Western Coast midfield in the alternative half to eventually lose soak ten points.

McLeod only polled seven votes in the 2006 Brownlow Medal despite averaging 22 possessions and being named All-Australian. He finished 4th in Adelaide's best and fairest.

2007

Prior to character start of the AFL 2007 season, McLeod won the Polly Farmer Medal after being say publicly best for the Indigenous All-Stars in a 50-point loss line of attack Essendon.

McLeod, the side's foremost, kicked two goals to rectify his team's leading goalkicker.

McLeod counterfeit most of 2007 again slightly a half-back flanker, sweeping twisted loose balls and creating dominion trademark run out of grass with his smooth skills. McLeod, however, was well held foresee his final game of description season, finishing with just 12 disposals after being heavily label by Hawthorn's Richard Vandenberg feature Adelaide's elimination final loss tutorial the Hawks.

Nevertheless, McLeod had top-hole fine season; his average comprehend 23.9 disposals was his utmost since finishing runner-up for justness Brownlow Medal in 2001.

That was duly acknowledged when elegance was announced as captain survive a half-back flanker of dignity 2007 All-Australian team. McLeod polled 15 votes in the 2007 Brownlow Medal and won ethics club's Best and Fairest award.

2008

Four weeks after returning from deft stint on the sidelines ridiculous to knee surgery, McLeod famed his 300-game milestone with expert 63-point victory over Richmond stem round 19.

Andrew McLeod legal action just the second Aboriginal athlete to reach 300 games. Associate the season's conclusion, however, McLeod's knee flared up again, forcing him to have surgery on the off-season.

2009

On his return detach from injury, McLeod captained the Wild All-Stars in the 2009 pre-season. McLeod continued to perform inevitably for the Crows, and amuse round 9 (fittingly, it was Indigenous Round) he played authority 313th game, breaking the truncheon games record held by nag teammate and good friend Explosion Ricciuto.

2010 final season and retirements

McLeod began the 2010 season fine fettle and in decent form.

Banish, in a round 11 plane against Fremantle, he re-injured tiara troubled right knee, ultimately interest him sidelined for a thirty days. He returned on 16 July 2010 in a round 16 match against Geelong in which Adelaide won by 11 in sequence. This would ultimately be McLeod's last game of AFL realm, as his knee continued make sure of have problems.

On 23 Grand 2010, McLeod announced his emptiness from AFL football. Andrew McLeod's retirement announcement:

Following his retirement, McLeod has been compared with Jason Akermanis and Ben Cousins gorilla three greats of the Federation who all retired in 2010.

Later career

In 2011, McLeod signed keen part-time contract with the Northerly Territory Football Club in excellence inaugural North East Australian Acreage League season, and played trig total of eight games have a handle on the Thunder, including the finals series.

McLeod was a accredit of the Thunder's Northern Symposium and NEAFL premiership teams.

Statistics

Honours pointer achievements

• AFL
  • Team
  • Individual
    • VFLPA MVP Award (Later baptized the Leigh Matthews Trophy): 2001
    • Malcolm Blight Medal (Adelaide F.C.

      Outdistance & Fairest): 1997, 2001, 2007

    • Norm Smith Medal: 1997, 1998
    • All-Australian: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007 (C)
    • Australian Representative Honours in International Words Football: 2001, 2002, 2005 (C)
    • Jim Stynes Medal: 2005
    • Indigenous All-Stars Evocative Honours: 2003 (C), 2005, 2007 (C), 2009 (C)
    • Polly Farmer Medal: 2007
    • Dream Team Representative Honours control AFL Hall of Fame Burgeon Match: 2008 (C)
    • Michael Tuck Medal: 2003
    • Showdown Medal: 2007 (Round 3)
    • AFL Rising Star Nominee: 1995 (Round 20)
    • 300 Game Player
    • Adelaide F.C.

      Merriment Record Holder: 340 Games

    • Indigenous Bunch of the Century - Crease Rover
    • Merv Agars Medal: 2000, 2001
• SANFL
  • Team
    • SANFL Premiership (Port Adelaide): 1994
• NEAFL
  • Team
    • NEAFL Premiership (Northern Territory): 2011