Inaugural AFLW Rising Star Ebony Marinoff has built on her attacking game in 2019, an improvement she’s credited to the advice of her mentor: Crows legend Andrew McLeod.

Since the dual Norm Smith medallist signed on as AFLW midfield coach ahead of the 2018 season, the pair have developed a unique bond.

“When you hear that your midfield coach is going to be Andrew McLeod you pinch yourself that you’ve got one of the best players of all time teaching you,” Marinoff told AFC Media.

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“Bunj is just a really cool human, a really soft, mellow personality and he’s really embraced us girls.

“He’s hilarious, he’ll have a joke with us and banter with us… we’re very lucky to see the real him.”

Marinoff said there are still times she finds it hard to believe McLeod has chosen to dedicate his time to her and her teammates.

“When you’ve got someone like that giving up their time when they could be doing a million other things, it’s been unreal,” she said.

“He’s just really low-key and calming – obviously he’s been a legend for so long and now he’s working with us most days.

“We’re very lucky to have him, he's a genuine good guy who’ll do anything for us.”


Crows midfielder Ebony Marinoff and midfield coach Andrew McLeod during the 2019 pre-season. Photo: AFC Media.

In her third season, the 21-year-old kicked her first AFLW goal in Round Seven and backed it up with two more in Sunday’s Preliminary Final.

“Bunji and I have a really good relationship, he’s been able to help me with the offensive side of the game,” she said.

“He loves to tell me that the best midfielders in the game kick goals and obviously he wants me to be the best I can be so kicking goals is a part of that.

“In the first couple of years I was tackling a lot and still getting a decent number of disposals, but I wanted to drive my attacking part of my game more this season.

“When you’ve got someone like Andrew McLeod telling you you’re doing good things, it gives you great confidence.”

For Marinoff, McLeod’s influence has gone beyond her on-field performances.

“He’s big on me thinking about what I’ll do after footy and keeping balance in my life,” she said.

“He was definitely flashy when he played but he’s not flashy now, he’s very humble with us.”

When she took over the microphone in the rooms after the Crows’ Preliminary Final victory on Sunday, Marinoff made certain to seek her mentor out.

“I’m very proud of the way that you’ve gone about it and I’m looking forward to the challenge that comes with next week [Sunday’s grand final],” McLeod told Marinoff.