2:40 PM Mon 23 Aug, 2010
Andrew McLeod
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Adelaide club games record holder Andrew McLeod today announced his retirement from the AFL.
McLeod, 34, made the decision not to make himself available for a “farewell game” at Saturday’s last minor round game against St Kilda at AAMI Stadium.
“I’m not confident that my knee is up to playing this week, let alone get through the game,” three-time club champion McLeod said. “I haven’t been able to train properly for a long time. A new era has also started at the Club and I don’t want to stop a younger player from playing on Saturday.”
McLeod’s last game for Adelaide - his 340th - was against Geelong in round 16. He had missed the previous four games after having knee surgery before the mid-season break but his knee issues then returned.
Coach Neil Craig said McLeod deserved to be remembered as one of the AFL’s greats: “His record is outstanding. His ability to play high quality football at the top level for so long has been remarkable. Great players make their mark on the biggest stage and he certainly did that.”
More detail from today’s press conference will be on www.afc.com.au later this afternoon.
Andrew McLeod career details:
DOB: August 4, 1976
Recruited from Darwin Buffaloes/Port Adelaide (SANFL)
AFL debut: round six, 1995
AFL career games: 340 (club games record holder)
AFL career goals: 275
Two-time AFL premiership player: 1997, 1998.
Three time club champion: 1997, 2001, 2007
Runner-up club champion 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006.
Five-time All Australian: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007 (captain)
Two-time Norm Smith Medallist: 1997, 1998
Member of Indigenous Team of the Century
2001 Brownlow Medal runner-up
International Rules series 2001, 2002, 2005 (co-captain)
AFL Players Association MVP: 2001
AFL pre-season premiership player: 2003
Michael Tuck Medal 2003
afc.com.au
