Australian Football

What Carlton rover Adrian Gleeson lacked in pace he more than compensated for in grit, determination and raw courage. Recruited from Koroit, he debuted for the Blues in round seven 1986 having starred in the reserves prior to that, but he did not become a regular until the following season. His timing was superb, because Carlton went on to claim the 1987 premiership with a 33 point grand final defeat of Hawthorn with Gleeson performing solidly after starting the match on the interchange bench. The next few seasons brought consolidation in the seniors as well as selection to represent Victoria in the state of origin arena. Gleeson had earlier been a Victorian Teal Cup representative.

When Carlton next reached a grand final in 1993 Adrian Gleeson was a key member of the team but he could not prevent a humiliating 44 point loss to Essendon. Two years later the Blues again played off for the premiership, successfully on this occasion, but Gleeson, who had lost his place in the senior team after straining a ligament midway through the season, was not selected. He went on to play a handful of senior matches in 1996 giving him a final tally of 176; he kicked 174 goals. He was still capable of good football as he proved by winning the club's 1996 reserves best and fairest award, an achievement he duplicated in 1997 after agreeing to stay on for the season to help nurture the young Blues reserve grade players.

Adrian Gleeson maintained his links with Carlton after his retirement as a player, including serving on the club's Board of Management for a time.

Author - John Devaney