The Man, The Magician, Andrew Mcleod, says goodbye | Thebigtip

The day that Adelaide Crows supporters were hoping would never come has arrived.

After 340 games, 275 goals, 2 Premierships and 2 Norm Smith Medals, Andrew Mcleod has decided to hang up the boots.

Originally drafted in 1994 by Fremantle, Mcleod was traded to Adelaide in 1995 for Chris Groom. An inexplicable decision that the Dockers will forever been reminded of. Bunji, as he is affectionately known, will go down in history as one of the best players to set foot on the football field. Throughout his 16 years, he has graced us with silky smooth skills and an endless amount of highlights.

Under Robert Shaw he took a while to settle in but soon started to blossom under Malcom Blight. Mcleod went on to win the Norm Smith medal in 1997 Grand Final running the Saints raggered all over the ground with 31 possesions. Then who would've thought one year on the Crows would meet the Western Bulldogs in the Prelim Final again where the man Mcleod kick a staggering 7 goals to once again have all the Doggie fans crying and the Crows fans cheering ready for another Grand Final this time against Nth Melbourne. With a tight struggle early on and Peter Cavan working overtime to shut down Wayne Carey, Mcleod slipped under there guard gathering 30 possesions this time round and earning himself back to back Norm Smith Medals to go with the Premiership Medals. 1998 would be the first year for Mcleod to be selected for the All Australia team and would be selected also in 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2007 where he would be named Captain.

Of course every career has its ups and downs and being one of the higher profile players, the downs get well publicised. One of the most gut wrenching moments in my eyes was in 2001 when Mcleod finished runner-up in the Brownlow Medal count only to go down to Jason Akermanis. Behind by 2 votes with one round of votes to come, the man Mcleod amassed 37 possesion which surely would get him the 3 votes ....... BUT obviously not from the umpires eyes who failed to give Mcleod a single vote, let alone 3 votes which would have won him the Brownlow. There was also the split for a short time from wife Racheal and the rift between long time friend Lleyton Hewitt and close team mate Tyson Edwards. However, being the professional that Mcleod is he showed little sign of any of these distractions when he graced the football field.

Later in his career his body began to let him down and not even this Magician could heal the aches and pains. After thinking long and hard and having a recovery training session away from the main group, he knew his troublesome right knee just wont hold up to the pace of the game anymore. His decision to hang the boots up allows a new era to begin at the club - who knows, maybe there is a young Mcleod on the Crows list ready to evolve.

Mcleod will join a couple of his fellow retirees (Simon Goodwin & Brett Burton) in a lap of honour before the bounce at AAMI Stadium this weekend against St Kilda to say farewell and for the Crows faithful to do the same.

Please put you hands together for The Man, The Magician, Andrew Mcleod.