In previous years, the AFLPA-run camp has been held three months before the Qantas Indigenous All-Stars game, however, re-scheduling has given the combined side seven full days together.
"We’ve been able to get in those extra training sessions together and, if you watched us train on the first day compared with today, it was like chalk and cheese," McLeod said from Darwin on Friday.
"The young guys were pretty nervous, so they’re feeling their way. They’ve been able to spend more time with the older players and they’ve all started to come out of their shells a bit now.
"They are going to be greater for the experience and I think our preparation over the past three days has been as good as I’ve seen."
The success of the camp, hailed the best one yet by the players, has encouraged McLeod and All-Stars coach Chris Johnson to support the showcase match being played in another state.
"This week, the powers at be have seen how well it’s worked with the camp and game in the same week," McLeod said.
"There are certainly some opportunities there for it to grow and maybe take the game to Victoria or West Australia next time."
Adelaide coach Neil Craig even entertained the thought of an Australia Day fixture, acknowledging it would fit in with most clubs' preparations.
"We're open-minded as a footy club," he said. "We just know it's a great concept and we will play our part as best as we can."
McLeod was initially expected to sit out this clash after undergoing knee surgery in October.
Spending 12 weeks in a full leg brace, he noted that the lure of playing provided a target for him in his rehabilitation.
"I think it’s important when you’re coming back from injury that you have something like that to aim for," he said.
"I didn’t actually think I was going to get there until about three weeks ago when I realised I might be half a chance. I’ve been able to do a lot of work and do it right, but it wasn’t a decision we made lightly.
"If I wasn’t 100 per cent, I wouldn’t be playing."
How much game time the dual premiership player sees is up to Johnson, even though Craig suggested McLeod would be used for seven to 10 minutes a quarter if he was in his usual Adelaide colours.
"What we’ve been told [by Adelaide] and what we’re going to do are two different things," Johnson said. "[But] Andrew certainly won’t play the whole game.
"The guys will go out and do their stuff," he added of the side. "We’re not trying to complicate things too much. They’re together for one game, so you can’t be throwing too much information at them because then they forget their natural flair."
Weather permitting, organisers anticipate a crowd of over 12,000 for the first official hit-out of season 2009.
