Xavier Leslie boasts one of the best resumes in the league.

He’s a three-time premiership player, a Morris Medallist, two-time best and fairest and VCFL representative.

“He’s just one of those blokes that have been really easy to coach,” co-coach Chris Kennedy said.

“He rocks up every pre-season and trains and plays hard.

“He’s very popular among his team-mates, he’s always smiling and always happy, he’s fantastic to have around the footy club.”

Leslie debuted as a 16-year-old while in Year 10, in 2002, as a half-forward.

He then spent two years at boarding school, playing for the Sandringham Dragons, before returning full-time in 2005.

“It’s all I’ve known really, it’s like a big family,” Leslie said.

“There’s a lot of different people from all walks of life and it’s just a bloody great club really mate.”

Leslie has spent the bulk of his time in the midfield, but his career is going full swing by moving forward again.

“You play in the midfield for 18 to 20 games a year and it does take a toll,” he said.

‘I wouldn’t say your are resting up forward, but it certainly does take a lot of the pressure off the body by mixing it up.”

The 31-year-old is a heady player, who has time on his side.

He’s rarely rushed into error and can cleverly pinpoint a pass.

And while not a big man at 82 kilograms and 182 centimetres, or the Collingwood six-footer as his team-mates have dubbed him, he’s tough enough to win his own ball and send team-mates on their way.

He’s durable too, with a five-week absence last year due to an infection in his knee, one of the few times he’s missed a stretch.

It will be a proud moment for the family as his wife Kylie has been one of the Pigeons’ finest netballers.

“Coming from a sporting family, it’s good to have everyone involved in the club,” he said.