Woodville-West Torrens Connor McLeod embracing Eagles’ Darwin match against NTFL representative side

The famous McLeod name will grace Darwin’s TIO Stadium once again when the SANFL’s reigning premiers take on the NT’s best – with all the action live streamed.

When Connor McLeod steps onto the grass at Darwin’s TIO Stadium this Saturday he hopes he’ll feel right at home.

The son of Adelaide Crows great Andrew McLeod is set to play for the first time on the ground where his father burst onto the football scene when Woodville West-Torrens faces off against the best of the Northern Territory Football League.

Eagles player Connor McLeod ahead of this Saturday’s clash with the NTFL representative side in Darwin. Picture: Dean Martin

The back-to-back SANFL premiers will take on NTFL representative sides in men’s and women’s matches, with both games live streamed exclusively by News Corp from 4pm Saturday (ACST).

McLeod is no stranger to footy in the Top End – having pulled on the boots for Nightcliff last year in between SANFL campaigns – but has yet to play on the oval where his famous father began his journey towards the AFL.

“Being able to go up there and play at TIO in front of heaps of friends and family, where dad started his career, is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” McLeod said.

“Mum and dad both grew up there … it’s just going to be an awesome experience.

“I’ve played with and against a couple of the boys who will be playing in that (NTFL) team and it will be great to play against those blokes as well.”

With Woodville West-Torrens taking a relatively young side to Darwin, McLeod hoped the match would be an opportunity to set himself up for a big season.

The 22-year-old, who featured in the Eagles’ 2020 reserves premiership, is yet to make his league debut for the club.

Connor McLeod in action for the Eagles’ reserves. Picture: Sarah Reed

After an injury-affected campaign last year where he was also tried in a range of positions, McLeod said he would look to lock down a spot at half-back in 2022 and attempt to break into the Eagles’ strong, two-time premiership side.

“I broke my collarbone in round three last year, which was a bit of a set back, but I was able to get back and play a bit of footy,” he said.

“I’m hoping to get back into a bit of form, have a full pre-season with no injuries and we’ll see what happens from there.”

McLeod and the Eagles’ men will take on the NTFL representative side at 7.30pm (Adelaide time) while the women’s match will be played at 5pm.

Both games will be exclusively live streamed by News Corp.