IT IS no stretch to say that on football ability alone, Adelaide Crows champion Andrew McLeod is of Olympic quality; his brand of football over 14 seasons epitomises all that is good with the Australian game. His talents measure up among the 150-year game's finest.
Today, McLeod, 32 last Monday, will play his 300th AFL game, becoming just the second Indigenous footballer to achieve the rare milestone.
The quietly spoken Northern Territorian said he was particularly proud to join Brownlow medallist and two-time premiership star, Gavin Wanganeen, as the only Indigenous players to reach that rare mark.
"I’m very proud of that, to follow in Gavin’s footsteps," McLeod said this week. "It’s very humbling to be alongside someone like Gav, who I’ve admired and grew up loving."
Very rarely in his 299 AFL games has McLeod had his colours lowered. He has maintained a standard of football which netted him numerous individual and team accolades, the highest of which was two premierships, two Norm Smith medals, selection in the Indigenous Team of the Century, and All-Australian captaincy.
McLeod relishes the big stage. He was the midfield architect for Adelaide's back-to-back premierships in 1997 and 1998, winning best-on-ground honours in both grand finals. While those games come readily to mind in recalling his career high points, McLeod's seven-goal haul in the demolition of the Western Bulldogs in the 1998 preliminary final should not be forgotten.
McLeod's best chance at a Brownlow Medal came in the 2001 season. He was two votes behind eventual winner, Brisbane's Jason Akermanis, heading into the final round against Fremantle where he racked up 37 possessions. But the Crows' 37-point loss to the Dockers probably swayed the umpires' votes.
It is fair to say, later in his career, McLeod revolutionised the half-back role that was once a destination for dour types only to happy to keep their opponent in check above all else. His run and carry across the lines and exquisite delivery turned the positional play into a deadly weapon.
Former Sydney and Footscray player Alan Thorpe said McLeod is the best footballer he's seen.
"In terms of being better than everyone, you hear stories of 'Polly' (Graham Farmer), Michael Graham and Stephen Michael, but I've never seen them play," Thorpe said. "(McLeod's) got all the attributes; the skills, how he breaks tackles, takes opponents on, breaks the lines ... just that slickness about him and balance. You just know when he gets the ball he'll do something with it.
"He moves so gracefully, it's like he runs on water. And he's got that explosive speed. I think he's a freak!"
Thorpe saw McLeod close-up when he was an assistant coach with the Indigenous All-Stars and McLeod was captain.
"I remember he had this 'presence' about him when he was captain of the All-Stars," Thorpe recalled. "I don't think he said too much but he led by example."
And while Fremantle fans often lament their club's decision to not recruit him despite his landing in their lap via draft and zone concessions, McLeod's rare talent has been a gift to all of football.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Last Modified on 10/08/2008 04:03