Adelaide great Andrew McLeod has doubled down on his comments, saying something is “wrong” at West Lakes.
He made headlines earlier in the week, saying he didn’t “feel welcome” back at the club and he is not backing down from the stance, despite criticism from club football director and former teammate Mark Ricciuto.
“When you walk into the Adelaide Football Club, it’s not a particularly warm place, they’ve taken most of the old photos down, the board room, like an old office you find around,” McLeod said on the Bunji and Brettster podcast.
“These rooms should tell you a story of an about the history of the people who came before us to lay incredible foundations, but no, everything has now been catalogued and if you want to see them, you have to go online to view them.
“I know I’m not alone, because in the past 24 hours, I’ve had a lot of these conversations or messages from a number of my former teammates, past officials and many of our great supporters.
“That confirms to me that something is wrong.”
Kane Cornes on Wednesday morning called on the Crows to admit they have a cultural problem, something McLeod reiterated on the podcast.
The five-time All-Australian’s comments seem particularly directed at the likes of Ricciuto and Rod Jameson.
“It has to be top down, let’s see those in charge or in front office walk the walk and lead this change like it once used to be, no more spin, I’m trying to change the narrative like what has been happening in the past 24 hours by those jumping on their soap boxes and trying to angle it back on me as my issue,” he said.
“It’s unfortunate that’s how I feel, but happy to have a conversation like I did with Mark Ricciuto on Tuesday, telling him that our club needs tangible authenticity by creating a culture that makes you feel welcome, like you belong and are valued, no matter who you may be.”
McLeod wished to convey that he still loves the Crows and is passionate about brining about the change he feels the club needs.
“Please don’t be misconstrued, I love my club, I’m as passionate as anyone about it and I want to see it achieve great success, like the tens of thousands of people who call the Adelaide Crows their team, I want them to have a better experience with our football club,” he said.
“Right now, we need to support our players more than ever, I have since spoken with Matty Nicks, Taylor Walker and reiterated my support to them and we had great conversations about a lot of things.
“Nicksy knows where I’m coming from, this forms part of what he’s trying to change.
“With my hand on my heart, I just believe our club can be better and we should strive to be.”