Leon Davis (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Leon Davis is an Australian rules football
er in the Australian Football League
.
Drafted to Collingwood in 1999
as a small forward, Davis is of Aboriginal heritage. Davis made an early impression at the Pies and played Round 1 in his debut season. He showed that he was capable of turning a match but also that he was inconsistent. He could light up a game and determine a result, or he could shut off for 4 quarters and have zero impact. Despite being dropped several times, he still notched up just fewer than 40 games in his first two seasons, averaging almost a goal a game.
Nicknamed "Neon Leon" for his exciting style of play, he is a cult figure of sorts amongst Magpie supporters. In particular, Triple M
commentator and former player, Brian Taylor who is a friend of Davis, is a huge fan of his. During Triple M's coverage of a Collingwood game he claims that Davis is his man, that he is "the ignitor" of Collingwood and will get excited about anything he does no matter how spectacular or how ordinary the piece of play was. For example if Davis is barely involved in a good piece of play (for example an ordinary hand ball to an open player) he will claim that Davis made that goal and he has ignited the team. The Triple M team also like to talk about Taylor's experience with Leon at Taylor's rural property where Davis hunts kangaroos
.
In 2002 he played 23 games for the season including the Grand Final, but failed to register a possession during the entire match. He kicked 31 goals for the year, including consecutive bags of 4 goals mid-season. The media still talk about his game in the 2002 Grand Final, but never mention the Game that got Collingwood to that Grand Final. Collingwood entered the finals in 4th place and had to face ladder leader and premiership favourite Port Adelaide in Adelaide. Leon Davis was one of Collingwood's instrumental players in the upset win, kicking 3 vital goals, including the last goal to seal Collingwood's upset victory.
During the 2003 season, Davis managed to play 11 of Collingwood's first 13 games of the season, but found himself out of the senior side for some time after Round 13. After an absence of three months, Davis was selected for the senior Collingwood side for the Preliminary Final against Port Adelaide. Despite lack of form, 'neon Leon' played 19 games and kicked 23 goals during Collingwood's dismal 2004 season.
In 2005 he started well, but a wrist injury forced him out for a month, but never broke back into the side until late in the season. He did however bring up his 100th game, becoming the first indigenous Australian to do so for Collingwood. He also encountered trouble with radio commentator Rex Hunt
over an incident in which Hunt called Davis 'as black as a dog' during the call against Essendon
mid-way through the season.
Davis had a solid start to the 2006 season, showing his true value to the side in the first-half. He had an interrupted second half however, with a thigh injury sustained against Richmond, the same match he was in a contest with Chris Newman
which resulted in Newman breaking his leg. Davis would then be dropped after coming back into the side, but forced his way back in a week later. He made an impression in the midfield, before he would fracture his fibula/ankle and could not get back on the track for the finals. He kicked 23 goals in 15 games.
In 2007 Davis' role has moved further up the field from his customary small forward role. The year has seen him given substantial game time in the 'engine' alongside experienced players such as Scott Burns. Though not overly effective in the crucial clearances aspect of his new engine role, Davis has shown a fitness level that has enabled him to run out games (with rotations) as a midfielder with his forward role slowly taking a back seat. Despite this change of roles, Davis has maintained his ability to get forward from the midfield and kick several inspirational goals and thus maintaining and improving on his yearly average of 20 goals with a 29 goal year from 21 games featuring two 'bags' of 4 goals in rounds 10 and 16. In addition Davis has also been ranked highly in the league for tackles inside the forward 50 metre arc. Davis' 29 goal year is his best for 5 years since his 2002 tally of 31 goals from 23 matches.
In 2008 Davis was chosen to play for the AFL Dream Team in the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match
in the number 1 guernsey. Davis kicked several goals and, along with Matthew Pavlich
, Lance Franklin
and Brett Kirk
played at his usual high standard in an otherwise disappointing team who eventually went down to Victoria despite leading for a large part of the game.
Davis is a renowned specialist at the "banana kick" shot at goal which has earned him several nominations for "Goal Of The Year".
In 2008, he came 4th in the Copeland Trophy
count, Collingwood's Best and Fairest
award. He also was awarded the AFL goal of the year for his round 22 goal against Fremantle
, where he tackled and harassed Des Headland
to dispossess him, paddled the ball along the other side of Headland, scooped up the ball with one hand while dodging another lunging Fremantle player, ran inside 50 on the boundary line and hit a low and hard kick from a tight angle for a goal. He re-signed with the Magpies for 2 years until 2011.
In 2009, he featured in the official advertisement for the AFL, contesting the Australian football against Kieren Jack
along the floor of on an ice hockey
rink.
Leon Davis's career has been taken to new heights in season 2009, being one of Collingwood's best and most influential players in the team, has ability to play in the midfield and kick goals when he goes forward is extraordinary. A credit to a man who improved his fitness over the preseason, Davis has been nominated in the squad of 40 for the 2009 All Australian Team.
After arguably his best season to date Leon Davis has earnt himself a spot in the AFL All-Australian team, Davis was selected as one of the forward pocket
s.
In 2010, Davis played all but one game during the home-and-away season, but was dropped for Collingwood's preliminary final. He returned for the drawn Grand Final
, kicking a vital goal in the final quarter but otherwise having a quiet game, and was dropped for the Grand Final Replay the following week. He nevertheless received a Premiership Medallion following Collingwood's victory in the replay.
2011 saw Davis become a defender and his season was recognised by selection in the 2011 All-Australian team
and a fifth placing in the Copeland Trophy
. However, in October 2011, Davis announced that he has quit the Collingwood Football Club due a contract dispute, and is considering playing for the WAFL or the SANFL.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Drafted to Collingwood in 1999
1999 AFL Draft
The 1999 AFL Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.In 1999 there...
as a small forward, Davis is of Aboriginal heritage. Davis made an early impression at the Pies and played Round 1 in his debut season. He showed that he was capable of turning a match but also that he was inconsistent. He could light up a game and determine a result, or he could shut off for 4 quarters and have zero impact. Despite being dropped several times, he still notched up just fewer than 40 games in his first two seasons, averaging almost a goal a game.
Nicknamed "Neon Leon" for his exciting style of play, he is a cult figure of sorts amongst Magpie supporters. In particular, Triple M
Triple M
The Triple M Network is an active rock radio network in Australia owned by media company Austereo, who also own the Today Network.- History :...
commentator and former player, Brian Taylor who is a friend of Davis, is a huge fan of his. During Triple M's coverage of a Collingwood game he claims that Davis is his man, that he is "the ignitor" of Collingwood and will get excited about anything he does no matter how spectacular or how ordinary the piece of play was. For example if Davis is barely involved in a good piece of play (for example an ordinary hand ball to an open player) he will claim that Davis made that goal and he has ignited the team. The Triple M team also like to talk about Taylor's experience with Leon at Taylor's rural property where Davis hunts kangaroos
KangaROOS
KangaROOS are an American brand of sneaker originally produced from 1979 through the 1980s, with a later revival that continues in present. They were notable for having a small zippered pocket on the side of the shoe, large enough for a small amount of loose change, keys, or more recently,...
.
In 2002 he played 23 games for the season including the Grand Final, but failed to register a possession during the entire match. He kicked 31 goals for the year, including consecutive bags of 4 goals mid-season. The media still talk about his game in the 2002 Grand Final, but never mention the Game that got Collingwood to that Grand Final. Collingwood entered the finals in 4th place and had to face ladder leader and premiership favourite Port Adelaide in Adelaide. Leon Davis was one of Collingwood's instrumental players in the upset win, kicking 3 vital goals, including the last goal to seal Collingwood's upset victory.
During the 2003 season, Davis managed to play 11 of Collingwood's first 13 games of the season, but found himself out of the senior side for some time after Round 13. After an absence of three months, Davis was selected for the senior Collingwood side for the Preliminary Final against Port Adelaide. Despite lack of form, 'neon Leon' played 19 games and kicked 23 goals during Collingwood's dismal 2004 season.
In 2005 he started well, but a wrist injury forced him out for a month, but never broke back into the side until late in the season. He did however bring up his 100th game, becoming the first indigenous Australian to do so for Collingwood. He also encountered trouble with radio commentator Rex Hunt
Rex Hunt
Rex James Hunt is an Australian television and radio personality, and a former Australian rules football player. He is an Australian rules football commentator, currently on the 1116 SEN radio station with son in law Lee Raynor conducting a program called Off The Hook. He is better known around...
over an incident in which Hunt called Davis 'as black as a dog' during the call against Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
mid-way through the season.
Davis had a solid start to the 2006 season, showing his true value to the side in the first-half. He had an interrupted second half however, with a thigh injury sustained against Richmond, the same match he was in a contest with Chris Newman
Chris Newman (Australian rules footballer)
Chris Newman is an Australian rules footballer, and currently the captain of the Richmond Football Club. He was drafted at Pick 55 in the 2000 AFL Draft from the Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup....
which resulted in Newman breaking his leg. Davis would then be dropped after coming back into the side, but forced his way back in a week later. He made an impression in the midfield, before he would fracture his fibula/ankle and could not get back on the track for the finals. He kicked 23 goals in 15 games.
In 2007 Davis' role has moved further up the field from his customary small forward role. The year has seen him given substantial game time in the 'engine' alongside experienced players such as Scott Burns. Though not overly effective in the crucial clearances aspect of his new engine role, Davis has shown a fitness level that has enabled him to run out games (with rotations) as a midfielder with his forward role slowly taking a back seat. Despite this change of roles, Davis has maintained his ability to get forward from the midfield and kick several inspirational goals and thus maintaining and improving on his yearly average of 20 goals with a 29 goal year from 21 games featuring two 'bags' of 4 goals in rounds 10 and 16. In addition Davis has also been ranked highly in the league for tackles inside the forward 50 metre arc. Davis' 29 goal year is his best for 5 years since his 2002 tally of 31 goals from 23 matches.
In 2008 Davis was chosen to play for the AFL Dream Team in the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match
AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match
The AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match was a one-off all-star game between two representative sides organised by the Australian Football League to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Australian rules football....
in the number 1 guernsey. Davis kicked several goals and, along with Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
, Lance Franklin
Lance Franklin
Lance "Buddy" Franklin, Jr is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League . Nicknamed 'Buddy', Franklin primarily plays as a centre half-forward, but also spends some time in the midfield, where he plays along the wing...
and Brett Kirk
Brett Kirk
Brett Kirk is a former Australian rules football player of the Sydney Swans, and is known colloquially as "Kirky", "Captain Kirk", during the 2005 AFL Finals Series, "Captain Blood" and by teammates as "Hippy". Kirk is a hard working and onfield leader who has played in a premiership with the...
played at his usual high standard in an otherwise disappointing team who eventually went down to Victoria despite leading for a large part of the game.
Davis is a renowned specialist at the "banana kick" shot at goal which has earned him several nominations for "Goal Of The Year".
In 2008, he came 4th in the Copeland Trophy
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
count, Collingwood's Best and Fairest
Best and Fairest
Best and Fairest is the term commonly used in Australian sport to describe the player adjudged to have had the best performance in a game or over a season for a given sporting club or competition while not receiving a suspension for misconduct or breaching the rules during that season.In the...
award. He also was awarded the AFL goal of the year for his round 22 goal against Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
, where he tackled and harassed Des Headland
Des Headland
Desmond "Des" Headland, Jr is an Australian rules footballer currently playing for Subiaco in the West Australian Football League. He plays as a half-forward flanker or midfielder. Headland was selected with the first overall draft pick in the 1998 AFL Draft by the Brisbane Lions...
to dispossess him, paddled the ball along the other side of Headland, scooped up the ball with one hand while dodging another lunging Fremantle player, ran inside 50 on the boundary line and hit a low and hard kick from a tight angle for a goal. He re-signed with the Magpies for 2 years until 2011.
In 2009, he featured in the official advertisement for the AFL, contesting the Australian football against Kieren Jack
Kieren Jack
Kieren Jack is a professional Australian rules footballer for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League .- Early life :He is the son of former Balmain Tigers Rugby League star Garry Jack....
along the floor of on an ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
rink.
Leon Davis's career has been taken to new heights in season 2009, being one of Collingwood's best and most influential players in the team, has ability to play in the midfield and kick goals when he goes forward is extraordinary. A credit to a man who improved his fitness over the preseason, Davis has been nominated in the squad of 40 for the 2009 All Australian Team.
After arguably his best season to date Leon Davis has earnt himself a spot in the AFL All-Australian team, Davis was selected as one of the forward pocket
Forward pocket
In Australian rules football, the forward pocket refers to a position on the field deep in offense.Forward pocket players, situated in the forward line, need to have good avoidance and goal sneak skills and usually, quality forward-pockets are noted for their agility and ability to score difficult...
s.
In 2010, Davis played all but one game during the home-and-away season, but was dropped for Collingwood's preliminary final. He returned for the drawn Grand Final
2010 AFL Grand Final
The 2010 AFL Grand Final is either of two Australian rules football contests between the Collingwood Football Club and the St Kilda Football Club. Together they are considered the 114th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football League, and were staged to determine the...
, kicking a vital goal in the final quarter but otherwise having a quiet game, and was dropped for the Grand Final Replay the following week. He nevertheless received a Premiership Medallion following Collingwood's victory in the replay.
2011 saw Davis become a defender and his season was recognised by selection in the 2011 All-Australian team
2011 All-Australian team
The 2011 All-Australian team represents the best performed Australian Football League players in the 2011 season. It was announced on 19 September 2011, as a complete Australian rules football team of 22 players and a coach. An initial squad of 40 players was previously announced on 6 September 2011...
and a fifth placing in the Copeland Trophy
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
. However, in October 2011, Davis announced that he has quit the Collingwood Football Club due a contract dispute, and is considering playing for the WAFL or the SANFL.