This year has been anything but smooth sailing for Adelaide SANFL ruckman Kieran Strachan. 

Back-to-back stress fractures in his foot throughout the pre-season resulted in him missing six matches of the season, after being placed on the AFL inactive list for 2025. 

Having forfeited his spot on the Crows’ AFL list, the 204cm Victorian would have been well within his rights to leave the Club and pursue an opportunity elsewhere. 

But his love for his teammates saw him recommit to the group, and he diligently went about completing his rehab, to return and play a key role in Adelaide’s SANFL campaign. 

This weekend, Strachan will become the first player in Adelaide’s SANFL history to play 100 games for the Club, and he is having more fun playing with the squad than ever before. 

“It was a tough start to the year that’s for sure, having the back-to-back stress fractures in my foot was a bit disappointing and I didn’t know what that meant for my future,” Strachan told AFC Media. 

“At one stage there I was thinking maybe my body just isn’t going to be able to handle it, but to go through the second rehab and come out on the other side has been really good. 

“Getting back and playing with the boys in the SANFL now, these last few weeks have been up there with the most enjoyable of my career, with the pressure being lifted off me in a way. 

“I’ve been able to enjoy footy for what I used to enjoy it for, which is the fun of it and the love of getting out there and trying to get a kick with my mates. 

“So it was a tough start to the year, but I feel I’ve done a great job of flipping the script and turning it into a very fun and enjoyable season.” 

When it comes to reaching the 100th game milestone, and becoming the first player in the Club’s history to achieve the feat, Strachan admits it is something he has not thought too deeply about. 

“It’s probably something I’ll reflect back on more once my career is done, rather than worry about it now, but it is something I’m very proud of,” Strachan said. 

“I’m someone that likes to stay out of the limelight whenever possible, so I’m not a massive fan of the attention that’s around the milestone, but it is cool to be the first to hit the 100-game mark in the SANFL program. 

“It means I’ve been around the Club for a little while now, and that’s because I’ve just loved my time here, it’s been such a great seven years and to be part of history in this way is very humbling.” 

Across his 99-game SANFL career, Strachan has become the most decorated player in the history of the Club’s State League program. 

Since joining the Crows ahead of the 2019 season, Strachan has won three Club SANFL Best and Fairests (2021, 2022 and 2024) and featured in the SANFL Team of the Year on four occasions (2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024). 

Strachan said while personal accolades were not the reason he played the game, it was nice to be recognised for the hard work he had put into his game. 

“Those personal accolades are something I’ll probably reflect on a bit more once I’m done and dusted,” Strachan said. 

“It’s reward for the effort and hard work I've put into my game over the years, and it is always nice to be recognised for the performances I’ve produced over my career. 

“It (those awards) are not the reason why I play footy, and it’s always been about team success for me, but when I look back on my career I will certainly be proud of those awards.” 

One thing Strachan is yet to add to his resume is premiership player, having featured in three losing Preliminary Finals. 

The Crows find themselves in a great position to help Strachan clear that final hurdle this year, as they sit third on the ladder with a strong win-loss record of 13-3.

“It’s a really exciting time for us at the moment, we’ve obviously been close to the ultimate goal a few times in my time at the Club in making a few Prelims,” Strachan said. 

“The way we’ve gone about this year has been really pleasing, and we’ve put ourselves in a great position to have a real crack at the finals this year. 

“What’s different from previous years is the SANFL has been still going with the AFL not around, so it will be nice to have everyone involved this year and striving for that common goal. 

“In terms of excitement and feel, everyone is going to be around, everyone is going to be up and about - so it is just a super exciting time for our footy club and I can’t wait to be involved.”

Adelaide takes on Central District at X Convenience Oval (Elizabeth) on Saturday afternoon. 

The first bounce is at 2.30pm (ACST).