‘Baby-faced’ son of a gun Connor McLeod starting to make his own mark
CONNOR McLeod is the son-of-a-gun teenager with the “baby arms and little baby face’’ who is starting to make his own name.
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HE’S the teenage son of a gun with the “baby arms and little baby face’’ who has overcome two serious injuries to start to make his own name.
Connor McLeod — son of Adelaide Crows great Andrew — is a late football bloomer who is beginning to show traits of his famous father at SANFL reserves level with Woodville-West Torrens.
“We're just sort of learning a little bit about Connor but he is improving at a rapid rate, which is really pleasing,’’ Eagles senior coach Michael Godden told The Advertiser.
“He’s got a lot to learn but he’s certainly, even from a training perspective where I get to see a lot of those kids in the reserves more closely, raised his game a lot.
“His training from night one in pre-season to now has improved significantly.’’
Connor, 18, played soccer as a kid before shifting to football just over three years ago.
His development has been stifled by a badly broken leg in just his second game for St Michael’s College while the following year he suffered a serious knee injury.
Last season, according to Andrew, was his first real crack at the sport and he won St Michael’s College’s First XVIII best and fairest award.
“In reality he’s only played one full season of footy because of injury, so from an exposure point of view he’s a long way behind a lot of guys his age and is still very much learning his craft,’’ Andrew said.
“But in the past six months he’s grown a lot, from being a bit small to 6ft 2in (192cm) and he’s got strong through his legs.
“He’s now trying to develop his upper body but he moves pretty well, is an elite kick and is a kid who is really enjoying being able to play after his injury battles.
“He has a strong desire to get better, which should happen with the more footy he plays.’’
Connor kicked four goals as a forward against Glenelg in round four and backed it up with 23 disposals in an on-ball role against North Adelaide.
“He hasn’t played a lot of footy for us because of injury, so we’ve been mucking around with him a bit as far as the position he plays,’’ Godden said.
“He plays a bit different to his dad but he’s got some talent. While he’s a good size he hasn’t physically developed yet, he’s still got little baby arms and a little baby face.’’
While dual Norm Smith Medallist Andrew wore the No. 23 on his back with great distinction in his club-record 340 games with the Crows from 1995-2010, Connor currently dons the No. 43 for the Eagles.
He is eligible for Crows’ father-son selection this year, should he be able to take his game to the next level.
Adelaide’s first two father-son picks — rookie-listed Ben Jarman and Jackson Edwards — are the sons of two of McLeod's premiership teammates, Darren Jarman and Tyson Edwards.
andrew.capel@news.com.au
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