Leo Barry encyclopedia topics

Originally from Deniliquin, New South Wales, he attended St Ignatius' College, Riverview before being drafted as a zone selection in the 1994 National Draft and making his debut in the final round of the 1995 season against Collingwood. For the next few seasons he played in the forward line without consistency, struggling to find a place in an already strong forward line. He did, however, display an ability to take spectacular jumping marks, earning him the nickname "Leaping Leo".

In 2001, Swans coach Rodney Eade moved him to the backline, where he prospered. Despite being short for a fullback at 184cm, he has successfully played on much taller opponents, making use of his leaping skills and using his body well. Regularly playing on oppents 10-15 cm taller than him, Barry rarely has multiple goals kicked upon him. Barry's unique defensive ability is observed in 2004 when Barry kept 196cm St Kilda full forward Fraser Gehrig to two handballs for the whole game. Despite being only 184cm tall, Leo Barry is surprisingly Strong which has become a useful necessity for him when facing taller opponents such as Fraser Gehrig, Anthony Rocca, Chris Tarrant, Quentin Lynch

Current coach Paul Roos rates him as one of the best defenders in the AFL, an assessment backed up by his inclusion in the All Australian Team in 2004 and 2005.

"That Mark"

Barry will always be remembered as the player who "caught the cup" for the swans. Not only did he ensure the victory for the swans but Barry's backline heroics were instrumental to the Swans success which culminated with one of Barry's trademark spectacular marks during the 2005 AFL Grand Final between Sydney and West Coast. After a kick from Dean Cox was sent into the forward line, Barry marked in a big pack within the dying seconds of the game to secure the Swans' long-awaited premiership. Commentator Stephen Quartermain describes this mark, as:

''"Cox throws it onto the left, one last roll of the dice for the Eagles! Leo Barry you star!..(siren in background)..The longest premiership drought in football history is over! For the first time in 72 years the Swans are the champions of the AFL!"

This image was later used by Tabcorp for promotional purposes, with Barry claiming that the image was "worth AUD$50,000", despite other players being featured in the photo.