Jeremy McLeod, a 200-game, 116-try Edendale stalwart
“It’s just one big family, and I’m lucky to be part of it.”
When Jeremy McLeod finished high school in 2010, there weren’t any deliberations required around his senior club rugby destination.
McLeod is an Edendale lad through and through; there is no doubt about that.
He played his junior rugby for the Edendale Rugby Club - the club that his dad Ross is a life member of.
In 2011, McLeod lined up in his first game of senior rugby for Edendale. It was marked with an 82-0 victory over Central Pirates at Edendale, kick-starting a 15-season run that is still going today.
On Saturday, McLeod played game No 200 when Edendale beat Tokanui 29-11 in the round four Division One clash at Tokanui.
McLeod reflects fondly on his lengthy stint lacing up the boots in Southland over the years.
“It’s the camaraderie about it. I’ve made life-long friends and seen many of the young boys come through and go on and get married and have families. That is pretty cool.
“It’s just one big family, and I’m lucky to be part of it.”
Few club footy players last the test of time to make it to the 200 club. There are a fair few Tuesday and Thursday night trainings to endure to reach that milestone.
The 32-year-old will become just the seventh Edendale player to make it to 200 games, and the first back to do so.
Although it’s the second five-eighth’s try-scoring feat that puts McLeod in an even rarer club.
In his 200 games, McLeod has amassed 116 tries.
It’s hard to come up with many other names throughout Southland club rugby’s history that might match that number. Mana Harrison, of Star, springs to mind as another who could be in that sort of club.
McLeod points to the 2017 and 2022 Division One finals victories over Wyndham as two of the highlights in his 200 games to date.
He captained the team to the 2022 title.
Edendale has been a powerhouse in Southland’s Division One competition for a while now - an impressive effort given the size of the town situated 38km north-east of Invercargill.
“There is not too much to Edendale apart from a good fish ‘n chip shop and a footy club,” McLeod joked.
They have concocted a successful rugby formula at “The Nest” in Edendale.
Edendale’s strength has been attracting players and retaining them. That is highlighted by the number who have gone on to rack up 100-plus appearances.
“We’ve just got a good system where everyone gets looked after. We’ve got good coaches, we’ve always had good coaches out there, and we’ve always had good players. It helps progress the young boys coming through,” McLeod said.
The special moments have stretched beyond the victories and titles for McLeod.
He has been able to play alongside his three brothers, Cameron, Hadley, and Devon, during his time with the Magpies.
Hadley has also notched up 100-plus games for Edendale, while Devon sits on 68 games.
Jeremy is taking it season by season, but he admits the prospect of still playing when Devon makes it to his 100-game milestone was a target.
“It would be quite cool to play in his 100th, so he’s got two or three more seasons.”
(Premier Women)
Pioneer 60, Blues 12
Star 46, Wakatipu 0
Marist/Midlands 109, Lower Mataura Valley 7
(Division One)
Wyndham 28, Waikaka/Riversdale 27
Edendale 29, Tokanui 11
Bluff 33, Te Anau 17
Pioneer 25, Albion 24
(Division Two)
Otautau-Ohai-Nightcaps 40, Waiau Star 19
Mossburn 38, Mataura 28
Midlands 92, Wright's Bush 24
Riverton 25, Wakatipu 7
Waikiwi 43, Central Pirates 12
Drummond-Limehills-Star 26, Collegiate 0
Woodlands 22, Star 12
Marist 37, Blues 24