Matthew McLeod-Allison reveals reason behind draft’s moment of confusion

There was a moment of confusion as St Kilda drafted Matthew McLeod-Allison but the exciting key forward has revealed the touching reason behind it.

Matthew McLeod-Allison tries on his new colours. Picture: Dylan Burns

When AFL CEO Gill McLachlan read out Matthew McLeod-Allison on Wednesday night it had even veteran draft expert Kevin Sheehan momentarily confused.

As it turns out it is St Kilda’s top draft pick’s legal name but also his way of honouring the contributions his mother and father had made on his path to the AFL.

Having played for Calder Cannons as Matthew Allison, the 18-year-old from Strathmore added the McLeod – his mother’s maiden name – on his draft entry form.

“It threw a lot of people of but it is my legal name, mum’s McLeod and dad’s Allison.” the Calder Cannons youngster said after being unveiled with his fellow Victorian first-round picks.

“It’s great to share both their last names and recognise everything they’ve given to me and helped to get where I am.”

St Kilda’s pick No.26 Matthew McLeod-Allison. Picture: Dylan Burns

McLeod-Allison’s father, Brian, is a legend at VFL club Coburg and a member of the Lions’ Team of the Century, while mum, Sharon, was a talented sportswoman in her own right.

The exciting 195cm forward was the last pick in the first round after the Saints using pick No.26.

His raw athleticism – clocking a 6.17 2km time trial and sub-three second 20m sprint at last month’s Vic Metro Combine – was enough for the St Kilda to pounce and add him to the mix with Max King and Tim Membrey up forward.

McLeod-Allison is Calder’s first first-round draftee since Paul Ahern, Peter Wright and Jake Lever were all selected in 2014.

Watching the draft at home with his family, he had an inkling he was about to become a Saint when his phone started blowing up as the pick was about to be announced.

A deluge of texts from his new teammates quickly followed and a call from coach Brett Ratten and skipper Jarryn Geary.

He’ll report to Moorabbin for his first training session on Monday and is itching to make a strong start to football life.

“It’s an absolute dream come true, I’m still in shock to be honest,” he said.

Matthew McLeod-Allison in action during the pre-draft training day.

Matthew McLeod-Allison in action during the pre-draft training day.

“I did speak to (St Kilda) but I wasn’t going into the night with too many expectations.

“From a Victorian point of view there weren’t too many guarantees, particularly on my behalf, so I was hoping they’d be sniffing around and I’m so grateful they read my name out.

“I don’t think it matters where you go it’s what you do when you get to the club, at the end of the day it’s just a number, so I’m just going to work hard and earn the respect of my teammates.”

McLeod-Allison also paid tribute to Calder coach Ross Smith and former talent manager Tom Lonergan and was thrilled to see teammates Josh Eyre and Cody Brand end up at Essendon.

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“I spoke to Tommy just before and he congratulated me and I spoke to Ross last night,” he said.

“I can’t speak highly enough of those two, they’ve been huge for my development and big influences on my footy.

“I’m rapt for Josh and Cody to see the effort they’ve put in and get rewarded for it.”

St Kilda added South Adelaide defender Tom Highmore with pick No.47.