Leon Davis (footballer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leon Davis |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Leon Davis | ||
| Nickname(s) | Neon Leon | ||
| Date of birth | 17 June 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Western Australia | ||
| Original team | Railways (AFA) | ||
| Draft | 34th pick, 1999 National draft Collingwood | ||
| Position(s) | Forward / Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Heathmere FNC | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Leon Davis (born on June 17, 1981) is a former Australian rules footballer. He played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Leon was known for his exciting style of play. Fans sometimes called him "Neon Leon." He was a very talented player who could score goals and defend well.
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Leon Davis: Early Life and Football Start
Leon Davis grew up in Northam, Western Australia. He has Aboriginal heritage. Leon started playing junior football for the Railways Football Club. He also played for the Perth Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).
How Leon Joined the AFL
Leon was chosen by the Collingwood Football Club in the 1999 AFL National Draft. This was a big step for him. He was the 34th player picked overall. This meant he was ready to play professional football.
Leon's AFL Career with Collingwood
Leon Davis quickly became a regular player for Collingwood. He played many games in his first two years. He was a small forward, which means he played close to the goal to score points.
Key Moments in Leon's Career
In 2002, Leon played in the Grand Final. This is the biggest game of the year. Collingwood lost that game. He also played in another Grand Final loss in 2003.
In 2005, Leon played his 100th game for Collingwood. This was a special moment. He was the first Aboriginal player to reach this milestone for the club.
Goal of the Year and All-Australian Honors
Leon was known for his amazing goals. In 2008, he won the Goal of the Year award. This was for a fantastic solo effort where he tackled an opponent, got the ball, and kicked a goal from a difficult angle.
He was also chosen for the All-Australian team twice. This team features the best players from across the league. He was selected in 2009 and again in 2011. This shows how skilled he was.
The 2010 Premiership Season
The 2010 AFL Grand Final was a very exciting time for Collingwood. The first Grand Final game ended in a draw! Leon played in this drawn game. Collingwood then played a replay game the next week. Even though Collingwood won the replay and became champions, Leon did not play in that final game. However, the AFL still considers him a premiership player.
Switching Roles and Leaving Collingwood
In 2011, Leon changed his playing position. He moved to the backline as a rebounding defender. This means he helped stop the other team from scoring and then moved the ball forward. He was very good in this new role.
Leon left Collingwood at the end of 2011. He decided to return to Perth to be with his family. He went back to play for his old team, Perth, in the WAFL.
Leon was famous for his "banana kick" shot at goal. This is a special kick that curves the ball. Even though he had some tough Grand Final games, he was a very exciting player to watch. He played 225 games and kicked 270 goals for Collingwood.
