When Adelaide Senior Coach Matthew Nicks and List Manager Justin Reid gatecrashed a dinner between Lachlan McAndrew and his manager, the newest Crow was shocked.

McAndrew - who joined the Crows’ squad as a train-on player in early December - had proved a valuable sparring partner for Adelaide’s incumbent ruckman Reilly O’Brien across the summer in the absence of an injured Kieran Strachan.

But with the 2025 season fast approaching, the New South Welshmen was unsure where his future lay, until Nicks and Reid joined his table and gave him some good news.

Speaking to AFC Media, McAndrew revealed how he found out he was becoming a Crow, signing under the AFL’s pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP), as a replacement for Strachan.

“I am stoked, for it to actually be official now it's a surreal feeling and a great reward for the hard work I have put in over the summer,” McAndrew said. 

“The news certainly caught me by surprise, my manager set up a dinner just to chat through some things, and he sort of built it up to be not the best news to be honest.

“Then all of a sudden Nicksy (Matthew Nicks) and Reidy (Justin Reid) walked in and I didn’t know what to think. When they came over and broke the news (I was going to be a Crow), it was a really nice surprise and a moment I’ll never forget.

“It’s a shame what happened to Kieran (Strachan), that’s footy sometimes and he’s a real team man to do what he did, and hopefully I can now make the most of the opportunity that has come to me.”  

McAndrew’s journey to a spot on the Crows’ list began in the aftermath of the 2024 season. 

After spending four years on Sydney’s list, he was delisted and began searching for the best way to continue his AFL career. 

That led him to making the move to South Australia, where he initially looked at SANFL clubs, before an opportunity arose to train with the Crows. 

“I had never been to Adelaide before, but I thought the best course of action for me and my career (after finishing up at Sydney) was to make a change and go look at some SANFL clubs,” McAndrew said. 

“The opportunity then presented itself with the Crows, and being at the age where I believe I’m about to head into my prime years of playing AFL footy, I was very determined to give it (playing footy at the highest level) another crack. 

“I had no idea what to expect (coming into the training block), I just took it one session at a time and looked to keep improving, but I’m glad it panned out the way it did.”

Since arriving at West Lakes, McAndrew’s focus has been on getting up to speed, both with his conditioning and knowledge of the Crows’ game plan.

He said he was taking every session in his stride, and highlighted the influence of a teammate during the pre-season.

“I wasn’t really expecting to be doing a full AFL pre-season (before coming over to Adelaide), so there was certainly a bit of an adjustment period to begin with,” the 24-year-old said.

“But since I’ve settled in and got up to speed with everything, I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of the pre-season, whether that’s taking things out of ROB’s (Reilly O’Brien) game, chatting in depth with the coaches or just being out on the track.

“I can’t thank ROB enough, he’s been incredible in helping me along the way since I arrived, and bashing into him each session has been really beneficial for me and hopefully he’s got a lot out of it as well.

“Having someone like that to lean on has been super helpful and I can’t wait to continue learning from him in the future.” 

As for what Crows fans could expect from the ruckman, McAndrew said his game centred around embracing the contest.

“I’m pretty lanky, that’s the first thing people notice about me,” McAndrew said.

“I love to tackle, love to follow up and just get into the contest, that’s probably how I describe my playing style.

“Servicing my smaller midfielders is also a big focus of mine, making sure my ruckwork gives them the best opportunity to get the first look at the footy.”

Adelaide faces Brisbane in its Community Series  match at Brighton Homes Arena on Thursday, February 27, at 7.40pm (ACDT).

The Crows will then kick off their 2025 AFL season with a clash against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, March 16, at 12.05pm.

Tickets available here.