There has been no shortage of new faces at Adelaide this pre-season both on the field and in the coaching ranks, but on Tuesday a very familiar face wandered back into the change rooms at West Lakes.
Crows games record holder and fan favourite Andrew McLeod was a welcomed sight at training, offering advice to the younger Crows players as part of his development coaching role with the Club.
McLeod will spend a few hours, one day a week at his former Club and general manager of football operations Phil Harper said the dual premiership player and Norm Smith medallist would work closely with Adelaide’s fledgling midfielders.
“Andrew’s role is a practical, on-field development coaching role under the guidance of our development manager Peter Jonas,” Harper told afc.com.au.
“With 340 games of experience and a lot of those games spent in the midfield, Andrew will be ideal to work with our development coaches in trying to fast-track our young midfield talent, including Brad Crouch, Rory Sloane, Jared Petrenko, Sam Kerridge, Jarryd Lyons, Patrick Dangerfield, Brodie Smith and Mitch Grigg.
“As a Club, we are lucky that someone with Andrew’s level of experience was available to help us out in such a part-time role.”
McLeod retired as an AFL player at the end of 2010 and spent last year working with the AFL as a community engagement and talent coordinator.
The popular 35-year-old also played a cameo role with the Northern Territory Thunder, kicking four goals in the final quarter of the NEAFL Northern Conference Grand Final to guide his team to victory.
After only his second day back at West Lakes in the new development role, McLeod said he’d noticed a difference in the size of the Adelaide players, who have been subjected to a physically demanding pre-season aimed at improving their strength.
“The change in the size of the players is noticeable,” McLeod told FIVEaa.
“The boys do look impressive.
“I was admiring Jason Porplyzia … he’s got some big cannons on him.”
McLeod will assume another coaching role in 2012 as an assistant under former teammate Nathan Bassett at SANFL club, Norwood.
The five-time All Australian will mentor the forwards at the Parade, and said the dual roles at the Crows and Redlegs would help him decide whether he wanted to pursue an AFL coaching career.
“Having an assistant coaching role with Norwood and also a role with the Crows allows me to have a real good look at it,” he said.
“If coaching is something that in a year from now I sit down and really want to do I can go that way.
“It might not go that way at all, but this is a good way for me to dip my toe in the water and see if it’s a good fit.
“Playing footy is tough and it becomes a business after a while, but when you step away from it and are able to get back to the grassroots and help younger players and young men develop themselves, which I’ve been able to do as part of my work with the AFL’s indigenous department … that sparked something for me and made me want to pursue that further.
“I’m excited about being involved in two great clubs. If I can help and pass on some of my experience to the younger players that would be fantastic.”
