Articles

Andrew McLeod

No. 23
Date of birth 04/08/76
Height 180cm
Weight 89kg
AFL Debut 1995
Recruited from Darwin (NT)/Port Adelaide Magpies (SA)
Career Games 143
Career Goals 151

Arguably the most gifted player in the side and one of the young champions of the AFL. His incredible burst of speed, evasive skills and vision make him one of the hardest players to contain. Can play in attack, on the backline or in the midfield, where he is probably most dangerous. For the third straight year, McLeod was runner-up in the best and fairest, after winning in 1997. It shows the remarkable consistency of the player who won back-to-back Norm Smith Medals as best afield in the 1997 and 1998 Grand Finals. Won his second All-Australian jumper in 2000 and finished third in the Brownlow Medal, with 20 votes.
Player honors: 3rd Brownlow Medal 2000; best and fairest 1997; 2nd best and fairest 1998, 1999, 2000; Norm Smith Medal 1997, 1998; All-Australian 1998, 2000; Norwich Union AFL Rising Star nominee 1995; premiership sides 1997, 1998.

Brownlow Medal: 2000 votes (20); career votes (40).

Darren Jarman

No. 3
Date of birth 28/01/67
Height 186cm
Weight 92kg
AFL Debut 1991
Recruited from North Adelaide (SA)/Hawthorn
Career Games 227
Career Goals 382

Adelaide's oldest and most decorated player — and still one of its most dangerous — Jarman remains almost impossible to beat oneonone, is a highly skilled kick and deadly in front of goals. Age reared its ugly head last year as he suffered the first leg strains of his career. But in the 14 games played, Jarman was still at his sparkling best and booted 36 goals in an underperforming forward line. Has signed on for another year and will again pose problems for opposition defences, while acting as a mentor for the younger forwards. May retire after this season and will leave a huge legacy having played more than 100 games at each of Adelaide and Hawthorn.
Player honors: 2nd Brownlow Medal 1995; Hawthorn best and fairest 1995; 2nd Hawthorn best and fairest 1992; 2nd Adelaide best and fairest 1997, 1998; equal 3rd Adelaide best and fairest 1996; Adelaide leading goalkicker 1999; All-Australian 1992, 1995, 1996; Hawthorn premiership side 1991; Adelaide premiership sides 1997, 1998; Hawthorn pre-season premiership sides 1991, 1992.

Brownlow Medal: career votes (85).

Previous AFL club : Hawthorn (1991-1995: 109 games, 122 goals).

Ben Hart

No. 34
Date of birth 09/07/74
Height 191cm
Weight 86kg
AFL Debut 1992
Recruited from North Adelaide (SA)
Career Games 221
Career Goals 40

The 1999 club champion played every match last year to take his tally past 200. A remarkably durable player, Hart, 26, would be eyeing 300 games. A schoolboy champion, Hart made his debut at 17 and quickly stamped himself as a reliable and tight checking defender. He has become a versatile defender, capable of checking full-forwards or roving forward pockets. A three time All-Australian, he is one of the first picked in the Adelaide side.
Player honors: best and fairest 1999; All-Australian 1992, 1993, 1999; premiership sides 1997, 1998.

Brownlow Medal: 2000 votes (1); career votes (9).

Mark Bickley

No. 26
Date of birth 04/08/69
Height 178cm
Weight 79kg
AFL Debut 1991
Recruited from South Adelaide (SA)
Career Games 225
Career Goals 67

Despite turning 31 late last season, the veteran's fearless approach to the game and durability did not wane. By his own admission, Bickley possesses neither the best skills in the game nor the most athleticism, but his determination and commitment have stamped him as one of Adelaide's finest players. Freed of the extra burden of captaincy, which he relinquished at the end of last year, the dual premiership skipper should add to his legacy in 2001, which could be his final season in the AFL.
Player honors: 2nd best and fairest 1993; 3rd best and fairest 1992; premiership sides 1997, 1998; captain 1997-2000. Brownlow Medal: 2000 votes (1); career votes (25).

Simon Goodwin

No. 36
Date of birth 26/12/76
Height 183cm
Weight 84kg
AFL Debut 1997
Recruited from South Adelaide (SA)
Career Games 92
Career Goals 41

Of all the moves Gary Ayres made in 2000, shifting Goodwin from the backline to the midfield reaped the most rewards. The consistent defender flourished in the middle of the ground and won the club champion award and an All-Australian jumper and stamped himself as one of the new breed of leaders. The versatile athlete, who passed up a cricket career to pursue AFL football, has two premierships and a best and fairest at just 24.
Player honors: best and fairest 2000; All-Australian 2000; premiership sides 1997, 1998.

Brownlow Medal: 2000 votes (7); career votes (7).

Mark Ricciuto

No. 32
Date of birth 08/06/75
Height 183cm
Weight 90kg
AFL Debut 1993
Recruited from West Adelaide (SA)
Career Games 191
Career Goals 138

The new Adelaide captain racked up the accolades with another stellar season in the midfield. Named in the All-Australian side for the fourth time and finished in the top three in the best and fairest. Early season form was phenomenal as he played virtually a lone hand in the midfield with a string of high possession games. Also booted 20 goals. A strong running and physical player, Ricciuto is one of the young ‘veterans' on whom Adelaide is pinning its immediate future and he has been entrusted with the captaincy. Still only 25 and is in the prime of his career.
Player honors: best and fairest 1998; 3rd best and fairest 1994, 1997, 2000; All-Australian 1994,1997, 1998, 2000; Norwich Union AFL Rising Star nominee 1993; premiership side 1998; captain 2001–.

Brownlow Medal: 2000 votes (10); career votes (60).

Nigel Smart

No. 7
Date of birth 21/05/69
Height 187cm
Weight 88kg
AFL Debut 1991
Recruited from South Adelaide(SA)
Career Games 225
Career Goals 107

The first Crow to reach 200 AFL games was chaired off the field after the club's best win of the season against Richmond in round 13. With Mark Bickley, he has been added to the veterans list for 2001. The only remaining player from Adelaide's first AFL team, Smart made his mark in the competition as a versatile, rebounding defender. Won three All-Australian jumpers in that role, but in recent years has also enjoyed success when moved on to a wing and can be a valuable forward line spark. A strong overhead mark, but also has great agility for a player of 188cm. Has stepped down as vice-captain.
Player honors: 2nd best and fairest 1996; 3rd best and fairest 1991, 1998, 1999; AllAustralian 1991, 1993, 1998; premiership sides 1997, 1998.

Brownlow Medal: 2000 votes (1); career votes (37).