Adelaide great Andrew McLeod and the trailblazing Sir Doug Nicholls in his playing days

ONE OF footy's most skilful exponents OR a trailblazer who broke new ground in both football and the wider Australian society for Indigenous people?

Both Andrew McLeod and Sir Doug Nicholls have compelling cases to be named The Deadliest in this week's match-up.  

>> WHO IS THE DEADLIEST? WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS BELOW AND VOTE HERE

As a feature of the new Yokayi Footy show on NITV and AFL.com.au, the 16 contenders to be the Greatest Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander player have been placed into a tournament-style bracket, based on their career achievements and the selectors' votes. 

The statues of Sir Doug and Lady Gladys Nicholls in Parliament Gardens, Melbourne. Picture: AFL Photos

Week 3 results

Last week's round of The Deadliest pitted two of the Northern Territory's most beloved stars against one another - Michael Long and Maurice Rioli. The results were: 

  • Michael Long 33% v Maurice Rioli 67%

Maurice Rioli moves on to face the winner of Andrew McLeod v Sir Doug Nicholls.  

Match-up 5: Andrew McLeod v Sir Doug Nicholls. WATCH IT HERE

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The Deadliest: Andrew McLeod v Sir Doug Nicholls

A modern day great up against a true trailblazer - Who gets your vote?

Andrew McLeod

  • Adelaide
  • Wardaman/Wargamaygan
  • 340 games, 275 goals, Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee, two-time premiership player, two-time Norm Smith medallist, five-time All-Australian, Indigenous Team of the Century

The highest praise comes with performing on the biggest stage.

'Bunji's back-to-back Norm Smith Medals firmly cement him as one of Adelaide's greatest players.

His dash and polish will always be remembered fondly in his highlight reels, but his versatility and leadership might be underrated as time goes on.

McLeod holds the record for most games for the Crows.

Andrew McLeod celebrates a goal against St Kilda in 2004. Picture: AFL Photos

Sir Doug Nicholls

  • Fitzroy
  • Yorta Yorta
  • 54 games, two goals, Knight Commander of the Victorian Royal Order, Governor of South Australia

Sir Doug Nicholls was a 157cm speedy wingman who was embraced at Fitzroy after starting out at Carlton (he played in the reserves, but not seniors).

Nicholls, who was subject to onfield racism and ostracised by teammates, made a name for himself for Northcote in the VFA, winning a premiership in 1929.

He joined Fitzroy in the VFL in 1932 and was the first Indigenous player to ever be selected for the Victorian representative team.

Following his retirement, Nicholls became a minister and social worker within the Aboriginal community.

In 1976, Nicholls became Governor of South Australia; the first non-white person to serve as a governor of an Australian state.

After suffering a stroke early in 1977, Nicholls was awarded a second knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II before retiring just 150 days into his tenure as Governor.

In 2016, the AFL changed the Indigenous Round's name to officially honour Nicholls' vast contribution to the game and the wider Australian society.

Tune in to Yokayi Footy each Wednesday at 8pm AEDT on NITV, AFL.com.au, the AFL Live App; and on Friday at 3pm AEDT on SBS Viceland, and SBS On Demand.  

Head to afl.com.au/deadliest each week to cast your vote for the Greatest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander player.