McLeod in contract talks

Adelaide champion Andrew McLeod said he was hopeful of signing a new contract with the Crows soon, despite a local radio station speculating about him joining Port Adelaide.

McLeod, who played for Port Magpies in the SANFL after moving from Darwin before playing for the Crows, said negotiations with the club were in his manager’s hands.

“Everything’s going pretty sweet,” he said. “I’ve been here for a fair while now and become part of the furniture, so I couldn’t see too much changing.”

McLeod said he was happy with the improvement in his right knee following surgery 16 days ago.

“Right now it feels fantastic compared with before (the surgery),” he said. “It’s just a problem I don’t have to deal with any more, hopefully. I haven’t got any fluid on the knee, which has been causing me a fair bit of grief after most games.

“I’m not quite sure whether it was due to the soft ground or not, but after the game I was that excited there was no fluid and I could actually do a proper recovery on Monday. I got out there and had a run with the boys, and I was pretty happy with it. It’s just freed me up a hell of a lot. I haven’t got any pain or anything.

“For something that’s been causing me a fair bit of grief for some time and we haven’t been able to work out what it is, it’s great that it’s all over.”

McLeod also said he would not pursue how he came to be covered in scratches following last Sunday’s game against Carlton at Optus Oval.

“I probably came under a little bit more attention than I’m used to, but I had a couple of teammates helping me out, which was good,” McLeod said.

“It’s just part of the game. I just got on with it. I didn’t worry too much.”