Leigh Colbert

Leigh Colbert arrived at Geelong via the 1992 National Draft and quickly established himself as a courageous key position player capable of operating at either end of the ground. His leadership qualities were recognised early, leading to his appointment as Geelong captain in 1999 at just 23 years of age. However, his tenure as skipper was marred by a knee reconstruction that forced him to miss the entire season. Feeling unsupported by the club during his rehabilitation and subsequent contract negotiations, Colbert requested a trade to North Melbourne prior to the 2000 season. The move sparked intense animosity from Geelong supporters, who felt betrayed by a captain leaving without playing a single game in the role, and the trade famously involved the exchange of Cameron Mooney and draft picks.

At Arden Street, Colbert solidified his reputation as one of the bravest players of his generation, often playing as a loose man in defence or a centre half-back. He became known for his fearless attack on the ball and his willingness to back into packs, a trait that unfortunately contributed to a series of injuries that interrupted his time at North Melbourne. Despite these setbacks, he was a vital leader for the Kangaroos, providing composure and intercept marking in the backline. He retired in 2005 with 209 games to his name, and while his acrimonious departure from Kardinia Park remains a defining narrative of his career, he is widely respected for his unwavering commitment to the contest.