Paul Starick: Former Adelaide Crows star Andrew McLeod should stand for club chairman
If the Crows’ greatest-ever player thinks the club has a culture problem, he needs to fill the leadership vacuum by standing for the top job himself, argues Paul Starick.
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The Adelaide Crows’ greatest player, Andrew McLeod, should put his hand up – not just to be on the club’s board, but to lead it, to steer the cultural change he is demanding.
McLeod this week showed the courage and conviction he majestically displayed on the footy field, revealing adroit political talent.
It is believed these off-field skills already have been recognised at the highest level and he has previously been sounded out about a position on the AFL Commission.
McLeod this week demanded top-down change, singling out “those in charge of front office” to lead without spin, or trying to deflect by making him the issue.
The two-time Norm Smith Medallist, 43, did not name Crows’ chief Andrew Fagan but it was not hard to see he was the prime target.
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Yet fellow club legend and current board member Mark Ricciuto, who is surprisingly sensitive to professional criticism, tried to paint McLeod as undermining the Crows by declaring his comments were “the last thing the football club needs”.
Rather, this challenge is exactly what the club needs.
Chairman Rob Chapman’s 11-year reign is drawing to a close and there is no obvious replacement, despite the talent on the board.
Based on the integrity, humility and conviction he has shown, McLeod would make an excellent chairman, supported by those with financial and governance expertise.
He has an agenda that is both necessary and popular.
He should put himself forward to implement it.
Paul Starick is an Adelaide Football Club foundation member
Originally published as Paul Starick: Former Adelaide Crows star Andrew McLeod should stand for club chairman