Player Watch Lachlan McAndrew - Re-Signed to End of 2027

[Crow till I die]

Taking off the Crows hat and putting the SANFL one on. So Norwood - do they have someone else to ruck now? Lost Boyd and now McAndrew. As much as I like to see that club lose out, its a bloody hard one for them at such late notice to have to replace and its impact is really a wider issue for the SANFL as all clubs can be affected like Norwood were, they were just the unlucky ones this time.

 

[Shuestar13]

And if McAndrew doesn't work out - you can just send Barnett over here for a packet of chips since Williams will be your ruckman for the next 7 years.

Haha, Williams is… triggering to much of our supporter base. He competes, but against the average to good and better rucks, is beaten. Seems to be more a forward, the idea last year was to play him as a forward with the acquisition of Flynn from GWS, but then Flynn got injured so Bailey was put back into the main role.

Harry (Barnett) has been a slow burn to date, a lot of development required. Was even talk of him trialling as a defender.

The ruck is an area of concern with Flynn injury prone and we’ll be looking for a more long term solution. We have been spoilt for rucks since the late 90’s when Gardiner started. I hope Harry gets a good run at it, just need to be patient.

 

[AFC979810]

Taking off the Crows hat and putting the SANFL one on. So Norwood - do they have someone else to ruck now? Lost Boyd and now McAndrew. As much as I like to see that club lose out, its a bloody hard one for them at such late notice to have to replace and its impact is really a wider issue for the SANFL as all clubs can be affected like Norwood were, they were just the unlucky ones this time.

Just wait until Adelaide takes Alex Van Wyk in the MSD.

 

[maxlilly]

And stress fractures are much longer to heal than a hammy.

Article said he re-injured last week. 6 weeks with zero weight bearing takes him to round 4. Would then need to build up to running and considering at that stage he would have zero fitness base after 6 months of no training - there is absolutely no way he would get back to playing - EVEN if everything went perfect.

What are the chances of that, our injured ruckman having another foot injury days before the SSP
Especially when he wasn't training and recovering from surgery

 

[Golumless]

Better to have a 22 year old in that position than a 29 year old though.

Strachan being only a few months younger than RoB is odd list management strategy.

24 years old (25 in May), not 22.

Not really, it just a backup ruck role. Flicking through the lists, the consensus seems to be you need one who is ready to go with teams running a guy who is at least 24 (and most 26+). Teams seem to run a genuine back up ruck and a separate developing ruck, likely with the aim being to get a few AFL preseasons into them before worrying about any genuine ruck work in game (unless of course, they're an absolute jet).

 

[George CantStandYa]

What are the chances of that, our injured ruckman having another foot injury days before the SSP
Especially when he wasn't training and recovering from surgery

Watch Strachan get the ruck coaching job in 2026

 

[AFC979810]

What are the chances of that, our injured ruckman having another foot injury days before the SSP
Especially when he wasn't training and recovering from surgery

Are you suggesting we lied about him re-injuring his foot?

 

[maxlilly]

Watch Strachan get the ruck coaching job in 2026

Norwood may even sign him up this year

 

[maxlilly]

Are you suggesting we lied about him re-injuring his foot?

No, I didn't suggest that

 

[Scorpus]

You really enjoy selective quoting don't you. First you did it with Nicks and Crouch - https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/2025-pre-season.1388505/page-82#post-86780605

Now this.

Our ruck stocks BECAME dicey because our backup suffered a further serious injury on top of the injury he was trying to overcome that happened in early December.



You didn't bold the most important part of the quote.

Our ruck stocks were always dicey for 2025 given our main backup was coming off no pre-season due to a serious injury, was already going to miss part of the season, and even when he was fit, could barely run out games and wasn't up to the standard.

Our ruck stocks did not become dicey purely because of an additional injury. They were dicey. The issues people brought up previously came to pass. They were right and the club's quotes say as much

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Other than the Nicks extension we've not put a foot wrong this pre-season.

Brodie Smith extension was an own goal, probably technically not this pre-season as the damage was done when they included a games trigger but it still burns.

 

[Slim258]

Brodie Smith extension was an own goal, probably technically not this pre-season as the damage was done when they included a games trigger but it still burns.

Rushing to resign Boralse and Berry prior to trade period didnt make any sense either, we possibly could've got something in return for Berry that opened a spot for a better 2nd ruck option, but wouldn't have thought too many teams would've jumped onto Borlase so we probably had time to 2nd list lodgment period at least.

 

[cleanhands]

You really enjoy selective quoting don't you. First you did it with Nicks and Crouch - https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/2025-pre-season.1388505/page-82#post-86780605

Now this.

Our ruck stocks BECAME dicey because our backup suffered a further serious injury on top of the injury he was trying to overcome that happened in early December.



You didn't bold the most important part of the quote.

“Selective quoting”

 

[AFC979810]

“Selective quoting”

Selective 'bolding' probably the correct term old mate...

 

[cleanhands]

Selective 'bolding' probably the correct term old mate...

I thought it interesting that you used those words

 

[crows dude]

Taking off the Crows hat and putting the SANFL one on. So Norwood - do they have someone else to ruck now? Lost Boyd and now McAndrew. As much as I like to see that club lose out, its a bloody hard one for them at such late notice to have to replace and its impact is really a wider issue for the SANFL as all clubs can be affected like Norwood were, they were just the unlucky ones this time.

They brought Surman out of retirement for it. They said Surman would be our ruck if McAndrew was to sign with Adelaide

From the club


Meanwhile, we are in constant communication with Lachlan McAndrew (210cm former Sydney Swans ruck) and the Crows regarding his commitment to Norwood.

McAndrew has committed to Norwood for the SANFL season. He has been training with the Crows in recent months for an AFL list spot, following Kieran Strachan’s injury. The AFL’s SSP window closes soon, and we will have a clearer understanding of the situation from that point.

"Luke Surman is coming out of retirement, and we think Luke has the ability to be one of the best ruckmen in the competition, it's just getting his body right. His pre-season so far has been pretty good."

Boyd's situation comes as the Redlegs are also left to tread water and wait for clarity on the future of delisted Sydney ruckman Lachie McAndrew.

McAndrew was set to secure a move to The Parade before Adelaide expressed an interest in his services via the SSP, with the 209cm talent currently training for a list spot of his own with the Crows.

If McAndrew earns a career lifeline with Adelaide, Norwood will then be left to reshuffle their ruck stocks - meaning Surman could be the club's first-string option despite initially deciding to call time on his career.

The Redlegs also lost Alex van Wyk this off-season, with the young tall landing at North Adelaide in search of greater opportunities after spending the past season as Boyd's understudy.

"[McAndrew's] just fighting for a list spot with Adelaide at the moment. If a list spot opens up, then he's potentially on their AFL list. If not, then Lachie will probably be our number one ruckman for this season," Kelly said.

 

[Crow till I die]

They brought Surman out of retirement for it. They said Surman would be our ruck if McAndrew was to sign with Adelaide

From the club


Meanwhile, we are in constant communication with Lachlan McAndrew (210cm former Sydney Swans ruck) and the Crows regarding his commitment to Norwood.

McAndrew has committed to Norwood for the SANFL season. He has been training with the Crows in recent months for an AFL list spot, following Kieran Strachan’s injury. The AFL’s SSP window closes soon, and we will have a clearer understanding of the situation from that point.

"Luke Surman is coming out of retirement, and we think Luke has the ability to be one of the best ruckmen in the competition, it's just getting his body right. His pre-season so far has been pretty good."

Boyd's situation comes as the Redlegs are also left to tread water and wait for clarity on the future of delisted Sydney ruckman Lachie McAndrew.

McAndrew was set to secure a move to The Parade before Adelaide expressed an interest in his services via the SSP, with the 209cm talent currently training for a list spot of his own with the Crows.

If McAndrew earns a career lifeline with Adelaide, Norwood will then be left to reshuffle their ruck stocks - meaning Surman could be the club's first-string option despite initially deciding to call time on his career.

The Redlegs also lost Alex van Wyk this off-season, with the young tall landing at North Adelaide in search of greater opportunities after spending the past season as Boyd's understudy.

"[McAndrew's] just fighting for a list spot with Adelaide at the moment. If a list spot opens up, then he's potentially on their AFL list. If not, then Lachie will probably be our number one ruckman for this season," Kelly said.

Ahh, ok, but it sounds far from ideal and thats assuming Surman's body holds up if he had previously retired?

 

[50BC]

Better to have a 22 year old in that position than a 29 year old though.

Strachan being only a few months younger than RoB is odd list management strategy.

True enough, but I don't see McAndrew as anything but a very short term break glass option made necessary due to poor list management. The bigger task of a genuine replacement ruck (or 2) remains outstanding

 

[treeman]

Sydney only moved him on because they preferred Ladhams for depth (seems pretty shortsighted imo)

Did they have Ladhams on a contract so couldn't get rid of him?
Another Port player that benefitted from the Hinkley spike only to not do much at his next club.

 

[treeman]

True enough, but I don't see McAndrew as anything but a very short term break glass option made necessary due to poor list management. The bigger task of a genuine replacement ruck (or 2) remains outstanding

It could be like that but plenty of ruckman have come from no wher or to have a decent influence in our game.

 

[Coopers]

They brought Surman out of retirement for it. They said Surman would be our ruck if McAndrew was to sign with Adelaide

From the club


Meanwhile, we are in constant communication with Lachlan McAndrew (210cm former Sydney Swans ruck) and the Crows regarding his commitment to Norwood.

McAndrew has committed to Norwood for the SANFL season. He has been training with the Crows in recent months for an AFL list spot, following Kieran Strachan’s injury. The AFL’s SSP window closes soon, and we will have a clearer understanding of the situation from that point.

"Luke Surman is coming out of retirement, and we think Luke has the ability to be one of the best ruckmen in the competition, it's just getting his body right. His pre-season so far has been pretty good."

Boyd's situation comes as the Redlegs are also left to tread water and wait for clarity on the future of delisted Sydney ruckman Lachie McAndrew.

McAndrew was set to secure a move to The Parade before Adelaide expressed an interest in his services via the SSP, with the 209cm talent currently training for a list spot of his own with the Crows.

If McAndrew earns a career lifeline with Adelaide, Norwood will then be left to reshuffle their ruck stocks - meaning Surman could be the club's first-string option despite initially deciding to call time on his career.

The Redlegs also lost Alex van Wyk this off-season, with the young tall landing at North Adelaide in search of greater opportunities after spending the past season as Boyd's understudy.

"[McAndrew's] just fighting for a list spot with Adelaide at the moment. If a list spot opens up, then he's potentially on their AFL list. If not, then Lachie will probably be our number one ruckman for this season," Kelly said.

So all I'm taking out of that is we don't know how tall he is.

Is he 209 or 210? If we can't get that right... maybe he's not even that big. Maybe he's bigger.

To what standards are we measuring these things?

How long is his neck?

 

[Mutineer]

Unless we are going to give Turray way more time in the ruck in the SANFL I still think we need a young developing ruck on the list for the future because if ROB exercises his UFA rights or decides to call it a day to further his studies we are still in the same boat.

All eyes will be on McAndrew henceforth to see if he is actually capable of being an AFL level lead ruck because hopefully the club have only signed him on a one year deal while they assess his ability to be a lead AFL ruck.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Yeah if Strachan had another setback with his foot, this is a no brainer. Glad it’s happened, gives us a genuine back-up option

Also means we may have flexibility for drafting a younger ruck in the MSD (emphasis on ‘may’)

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Well, that mail was pretty good, just didn’t think it would be SSP

Have you got apologies from those who thought you were making it up...

 

[StonesThrow]

Welcome to the Sanfl