Crowked
2 Dec 2005, 10:16
Macca wants longer deal
By ANDREW CAPEL
02dec05
CROWS superstar Andrew McLeod wants a new long-term contract with Adelaide and is not thinking about retirement.
"You'll have to speak to Triggy (chief executive Steven Trigg) about that but obviously I'd love to play for as long as my body holds up," McLeod, whose contract expires at the end of next season, said.
"Craigy (coach Neil Craig) reckons I can play for another five years, but we'll wait and see."
McLeod, 29 and hobbled by a chronic knee injury in the late 1990s, has not missed a game in nearly four years, playing 81 consecutive matches.
The dual Norm Smith Medallist said his body felt as good as ever - as evidenced by the superb physical condition he returned to pre-season training in on Monday.
"I don't want to say that I'm fitter than ever because everyone always says that but I feel pretty good," he said, eyes sparkling.
McLeod, who yesterday launched his new book, Australian Football - Steps To Success, with Crows training services manager Trevor Jaques, fuelled the optimism at West Lakes for 2006 by saying he'd be a more complete player following his co-captaincy duties with the Australian International Rules team.
The gamebreaking midfielder said the extra responsibility drew more from him than he thought he was capable of giving and it'd be on show next season.
"It (being captain) certainly gave me a greater respect of someone like Roo (Mark Ricciuto) or Bicks (Mark Bickley) and what sort of things they have to deal with every week as a captain," McLeod said.
"And it probably helps me in a leadership way to draw on some of those things. There were some things I never really knew I had inside of me and so I'm grateful for the experience. Hopefully, with that experience, I can pass some things onto the guys next year, especially the younger guys coming through."
Asked if that could make him a better player, McLeod, one of eight team leaders at Adelaide last season, replied: "I hope so", adding he was still learning, despite turning 30 next year.
"You are always learning," he said. "I remember Blighty (Malcolm Blight) once saying that once you reckon you know it all and don't need to learn anymore, then you might as well give it away. Even at my age, I am still learning."
McLeod said he had already passed on some of the things he had learnt from Essendon and Australian coach Kevin Sheedy during the International Rules Series against Ireland to Craig and Crows fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt.
The triple All-Australian and dual premiership player said he wants to win another flag with the Crows before he retires - and he fancies the team's chances next season.
"Winning another premiership with Adelaide would be the ultimate," he said. "After going so close last year, it'd be really nice to take it one step further and we know we're capable of it. We've got the right people in place, the right players and we've just drafted some pretty impressive young guys who have just stepped up to the plate and been sensational all week."
McLeod was surprised how fit his team-mates looked when he re-joined them for training - four days behind the rest of the group.
"I was reminded the day I got back how good a nick the guys were in and how well they were running," he said.
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/footy/story_page/0,8747,17434260%255E25397,00.html
3 year deal?, Maybe just 2.
I would endorse signing him for 2-3 no worries, he will see those out IMO, but I cant see him going around for 5 more though.
By ANDREW CAPEL
02dec05
CROWS superstar Andrew McLeod wants a new long-term contract with Adelaide and is not thinking about retirement.
"You'll have to speak to Triggy (chief executive Steven Trigg) about that but obviously I'd love to play for as long as my body holds up," McLeod, whose contract expires at the end of next season, said.
"Craigy (coach Neil Craig) reckons I can play for another five years, but we'll wait and see."
McLeod, 29 and hobbled by a chronic knee injury in the late 1990s, has not missed a game in nearly four years, playing 81 consecutive matches.
The dual Norm Smith Medallist said his body felt as good as ever - as evidenced by the superb physical condition he returned to pre-season training in on Monday.
"I don't want to say that I'm fitter than ever because everyone always says that but I feel pretty good," he said, eyes sparkling.
McLeod, who yesterday launched his new book, Australian Football - Steps To Success, with Crows training services manager Trevor Jaques, fuelled the optimism at West Lakes for 2006 by saying he'd be a more complete player following his co-captaincy duties with the Australian International Rules team.
The gamebreaking midfielder said the extra responsibility drew more from him than he thought he was capable of giving and it'd be on show next season.
"It (being captain) certainly gave me a greater respect of someone like Roo (Mark Ricciuto) or Bicks (Mark Bickley) and what sort of things they have to deal with every week as a captain," McLeod said.
"And it probably helps me in a leadership way to draw on some of those things. There were some things I never really knew I had inside of me and so I'm grateful for the experience. Hopefully, with that experience, I can pass some things onto the guys next year, especially the younger guys coming through."
Asked if that could make him a better player, McLeod, one of eight team leaders at Adelaide last season, replied: "I hope so", adding he was still learning, despite turning 30 next year.
"You are always learning," he said. "I remember Blighty (Malcolm Blight) once saying that once you reckon you know it all and don't need to learn anymore, then you might as well give it away. Even at my age, I am still learning."
McLeod said he had already passed on some of the things he had learnt from Essendon and Australian coach Kevin Sheedy during the International Rules Series against Ireland to Craig and Crows fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt.
The triple All-Australian and dual premiership player said he wants to win another flag with the Crows before he retires - and he fancies the team's chances next season.
"Winning another premiership with Adelaide would be the ultimate," he said. "After going so close last year, it'd be really nice to take it one step further and we know we're capable of it. We've got the right people in place, the right players and we've just drafted some pretty impressive young guys who have just stepped up to the plate and been sensational all week."
McLeod was surprised how fit his team-mates looked when he re-joined them for training - four days behind the rest of the group.
"I was reminded the day I got back how good a nick the guys were in and how well they were running," he said.
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/footy/story_page/0,8747,17434260%255E25397,00.html
3 year deal?, Maybe just 2.
I would endorse signing him for 2-3 no worries, he will see those out IMO, but I cant see him going around for 5 more though.