Andrew McLeod

[Crowked]

KG reported last night that Andrew McLeod showed up for yesterdays fitness check up in fine condition. The word is he has lost a couple of KG's because he is concentrating on endurance for this coming season. Can he be the influencial player he was a few years ago or is he past his best?

Thoughts?

 

[Sheeds]

Are his knees still in pretty bad shape or is he over the injuries? I cant see him recapturing his absolute vintage form but he can still be a very good player no doubt, I just think he has lost a bit off that explosive pace. Also it will be dependant on where he is used, put him in the middle or use his creativity across half back.

 

[mymansyd]

Listen, Macca is a legend and an elite footballer. Between 1997 to 2003 you'd have to say that he was one of the best 50 players in the AFL. Between 2000-2002, definitely in the best 10. In 2001, in actual fact, he was arguably the AFL's best player.

2004 was probably his least effective year since 1996, but he was still pretty reasonable (21 disposals per game). His good showing in the B&F substantiates that. What I noticed most about last year was his slightly wayward delivery. He just wasn't hitting targets the way he used to. Not to mention that in some games he just didn't seem interested.

However, I'm not writing him off at all. At 29 - wonky knees and all - he is still at an age where I believe he can recapture the form of 00-02. If he does, watch out, we might surprise the ******** out of all those scribes that will no doubt predict we finish in the bottom 4 next year.

Problem (if you can call it that) with guys like Ricciuto, McLeod, Voss, Buckley is that they've raised the bar so high throughout their illustrious careers, that the expectations when their careers begin their inevitable decline remain far too high.

 

[- PC -]

Listen, Macca is a legend and an elite footballer. Between 1997 to 2003 you'd have to say that he was one of the best 50 players in the AFL. Between 2000-2002, definitely in the best 10. In 2001, in actual fact, he was arguably the AFL's best player.

2004 was probably his least effective year since 1996, but he was still pretty reasonable (21 disposals per game). His good showing in the B&F substantiates that. What I noticed most about last year was his slightly wayward delivery. He just wasn't hitting targets the way he used to. Not to mention that in some games he just didn't seem interested.

However, I'm not writing him off at all. At 29 - wonky knees and all - he is still at an age where I believe he can recapture the form of 00-02. If he does, watch out, we might surprise the ******** out of all those scribes that will no doubt predict we finish in the bottom 4 next year.

Problem (if you can call it that) with guys like Ricciuto, McLeod, Voss, Buckley is that they've raised the bar so high throughout their illustrious careers, that the expectations when their careers begin their inevitable decline remain far too high.

Yeh what he said

 

[Mad Dog]

Listen, Macca is a legend and an elite footballer. Between 1997 to 2003 you'd have to say that he was one of the best 50 players in the AFL. Between 2000-2002, definitely in the best 10. In 2001, in actual fact, he was arguably the AFL's best player.

2004 was probably his least effective year since 1996, but he was still pretty reasonable (21 disposals per game). His good showing in the B&F substantiates that. What I noticed most about last year was his slightly wayward delivery. He just wasn't hitting targets the way he used to. Not to mention that in some games he just didn't seem interested.

However, I'm not writing him off at all. At 29 - wonky knees and all - he is still at an age where I believe he can recapture the form of 00-02. If he does, watch out, we might surprise the ******** out of all those scribes that will no doubt predict we finish in the bottom 4 next year.

Problem (if you can call it that) with guys like Ricciuto, McLeod, Voss, Buckley is that they've raised the bar so high throughout their illustrious careers, that the expectations when their careers begin their inevitable decline remain far too high.

Agreed.....but I think Macca's prospects are probably more closely related to his willingness to accept whatever role NC has in mind for him...rather than a few lost kilos

 

[mymansyd]

I'm pretty certain that Craig won't stifle Macca's game as Ayres did at certain times. Time will tell, though.

 

[Crowked]

Agreed.....but I think Macca's prospects are probably more closely related to his willingness to accept whatever role NC has in mind for him...rather than a few lost kilos

I just hope the role NC has for him is somewhere near the ball, not hiding in a pocket or wide on a flank, mind you thats where the ball is in Ayresy's game plan.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

I think the fact that Macca has come back in good shape and even lost some Kilos can only be seen as a good thing.

If he was as disinterested as people on this board were suggesting at times during the season then this would not be the case. I think he can still be the match winner he has been for many years now. I would like to see him play in the centre but if not let him play on the HFF and allow him to create chances in our forward 50.
I dont like him on the HBF we have many players who can play that position so why waste him there?

 

[Stiffy_18]

Last season endurance was not a problem for McLeod. His attitude in certain games quite simply was ********. So many times I have seen him dance around and wait for something to happen rather that doing something like he did in the past. He was plain lazy for majority of the year.

Unless his attitude has improved, we will see the same McLeod we saw this year. As BRaG said, him turning up in a great shape is a positive and probably tells us he is fair dinkum about having a good year in 2005.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Last season endurance was not a problem for McLeod. His attitude in certain games quite simply was ********. So many times I have seen him dance around and wait for something to happen rather that doing something like he did in the past. He was plain lazy for majority of the year.

Unless his attitude has improved, we will see the same McLeod we saw this year. As BRaG said, him turning up in a great shape is a positive and probably tells us he is fair dinkum about having a good year in 2005.

Yeah, Macca's attitude more than fitness is more an issue with regard to seeing the Macca of old. We need him bursting through the midfield &/or forward line on a regular/consistent basis. What concerned me this year, was his lack of interest/consistency & lack of finishing inside-50m. I want vintage Macca back.

 

[Mad Dog]

was his lack of interest/consistency & lack of finishing inside-50m. I want vintage Macca back.

It annoys the hell out of me when he runs to 55 and then trys to find a leading player.............just run another couple of steps and pump the ********er thru the middle. I don't know if his knee stops him from doing it - but he can and does do it on very rare occasions......he and Goody are the masters of the run to 55 and pump.
hopefully these 2 will be like new recruits next year

 

[Crow-mosone]

Agreed.....but I think Macca's prospects are probably more closely related to his willingness to accept whatever role NC has in mind for him...rather than a few lost kilos

very true

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Yeah, Macca's attitude more than fitness is more an issue with regard to seeing the Macca of old. We need him bursting through the midfield &/or forward line on a regular/consistent basis. What concerned me this year, was his lack of interest/consistency & lack of finishing inside-50m. I want vintage Macca back.

Agreed
Need to get Macca back to getting his own ball and not being a receiver as Ayres tended to play him.

 

[crazy_big_al]

crows fans would be loving to hear that

 

[noddy]

crows fans would be loving to hear that

& you guys wouldn't ??

Doubt that we will ever see the Macca of old in his prime but even at 75% of that he still would be a very handy player for a few more years yet.

As long as the passion & hunger is there.