Another McLeod set to make his mark as Connor chosen for league debut

He carries one of the most decorated surnames in SA footy, but and now he’s out to blaze his own path when he makes his SANFL league debut this weekend.

Connor McLeod – the son of dual Crows Norm Smith Medallist Andrew McLeod – will make his SANFL league debut for Woodville-West Torrens on Saturday.

In one of the state league’s feel-good stories, the 22-year-old will debut against the club where his dad started his SANFL career, Port Adelaide, before becoming a Crows legend and winning two Norm Smith Medals.

“It’s a massive story for our football club, for Connor and the McLeod family,’’ said Eagles chief executive Luke Powell, whose club is chasing a premiership three-peat.

“It’s also a great reward for Connor and the persistence he has shown to finally get a crack at league football.

Connor McLeod will make his league debut for the Eagles on Saturday. Picture: Dean Martin.

“It is something he can be very proud of, the fact that he stuck to his guns and was able to force his way into the team by playing really good football.

“He deserves his chance and we’re really confident that he will take it with both hands.’’

Connor – overlooked by the Crows as a father-son selection in his draft year – has spent four seasons in the Eagles reserves after coming through the club’s junior ranks.

He has taken his game to the next level this season, reeling off 25, 30, 23, 28 and 27 disposals in the reserves in the past five weeks.

Legend Andrew McLeod celebrates a goal in Showdown XXVII.

“Connor’s been close to a league game for quite a while but it got to the point where he was knocking the door down,’’ Powell said.

“He’s had some tough injuries he’s had to deal with over the journey but it’s now his time and as a club we are really proud of the way he’s gone about things.’’

Famous dad Andrew is a Crows great, having played a club-record 340 games and kicked 275 goals from 1995-2010 and starring in the 1997-98 premiership wins.

Connor, who played in the Eagles’ 2020 reserves premiership, has been playing at halfback and on the wing for the Eagles, with Powell saying that, like Andrew, his skills are his biggest asset.

“He runs like Andrew a little bit and his kicking skills are very good,’’ he said.

Former Crow and Lion Cam Ellis-Yolmen will join Connor in the Eagles league team on Saturday after returning to the competition from Queensland after the SANFL removed its Covid-19 vaccination rules.