Adelaide Crows must stop ‘twisting and deflecting’ the narrative and make real change, says past superstar Andrew McLeod
Crows legend Andrew McLeod has revealed why he publicly criticised the culture of his former club, saying responses to his “unwelcome” comments are proof change is desperately needed.
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Adelaide legend Andrew McLeod has doubled down on his belief that significant cultural change is needed at the Crows to make it a better organisation.
Last week, the 340-gamer said he no longer felt “welcome” at West Lakes, which the club rebutted by highlighting the success of its past players program.
Speaking on his weekly podcast Bunji & Brettster on Thursday, the dual Norm Smith Medallist said the response from AFC proved his point.
“It’s not about the past players program, it’s not because I’m not social and need to get off my arse, or that I’m a ‘temperamental soul’ – this twisting and deflecting just needs to stop,” McLeod said.
“I’ve never called out anyone personally, I just implored them to heed the advice of their own internal review to learn and improve.
“But in return, I received comments from club officials about my personality and my actions.
“For me, this is the exact problem with the club – the lack of genuine willingness to listen, self-reflect and improve.”
Senior figures at Adelaide were quick to quash any suggestions of a divide between the club and its former players, particularly McLeod’s ex-teammates Mark Ricciuto and Rod Jameson – who both sit on the Crows’ board.
But McLeod said the reason he voiced his “frustration” publicly was not as a first resort, but as a response to previous meetings with AFC hierarchy he described as “fruitless”.
The three-time Malcolm Blight Medallist said some of those discussions related to his McLeod Centre of Excellence programs, which he started in 2012 – in partnership with the Crows – to help indigenous students through football.
“I have had numerous tough conversations with AFC hierarchy, uncomfortable ones,” McLeod said.
THE STORY SO FAR
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McLeod to break silence on ‘unwelcome’ claims
McLeod’s concerns should’ve been raised in private: Cornes
Legend Blight reveals his Crows culture cure
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“But (also) full-hearted conversations about the club and its values and the direction it’s going in, as well as honest conversations about my programs and what I perceive to be a lack of genuine interest for the contribution and the impact that our programs have had on community.
“And when you’ve had enough of these fruitless conversations, you get to the stage where … that fire in your belly begins to burn out.”
The 43-year-old reiterated his passion for making the Crows a better organisation.
“I love my club, and will continue to love my club. And if asking these questions means I’ll cop some criticism then so be it,” McLeod said.
“If things improve, it’ll be worth it.”
An AFC spokesman said the club would prefer not to have a public debate about these matters, adding the club was solution-focused and had reached out to McLeod many times to arrange a face-to-face meeting and looked forward to that taking place.