Triple SANFL Club Champion Kieran Strachan has been named Captain of Adelaide’s State League side for 2026.
The 30-year-old – who last year became the first Adelaide player to reach 100 SANFL Club games – is the Club’s most decorated State League player, having won three Club Best and Fairest awards (2021, 2022 and 2024) and been named in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year four times.
The 204cm ruckman made his SANFL debut in 2019 after being drafted by the Crows with Pick 7 at the 2018 Rookie Draft.
In 2024, he averaged 32 hit outs across 16 appearances, but a foot injury stalled the start to his 2025 campaign. He managed to return to the field in Round Seven, playing 14 matches, including in his fourth finals campaign, averaging 13.6 disposals, 18.7 hit outs and 3.7 marks.
Strachan, who will also return as a Crows AFLW assistant coach this year, said he was honoured to Captain the team.
“This Club has meant so much to me since I arrived in 2018 from Victoria and it’s grown to become my second home,” he said.
“And now to be named Captain of the SANFL team is an incredible privilege and one that I don’t take lightly.
“I look forward to leading the group through my actions as well as words as we work towards sustained success at State League level.”
Strachan succeeds Jack Madgen who had led the team for the past two seasons but left at the end of 2025 to take up a coaching opportunity at Richmond.
Adelaide SANFL coach Matthew Wright described Strachan as a well-respected, hard-working footballer who was the natural choice for Captain.
“Strachanie is our Club’s most decorated SANFL player, our games record holder and now a deserving Captain,” Wright said.
“He is well respected by players and coaches alike and has been a strong leader already for the past seven seasons through his on-field performances.
“Having also been an AFL-listed player, he brings off-field experience and training standards that are invaluable to our squad.
“He was the stand-out candidate to Captain our side.”
Strachan will lead the team on Friday, February 20 when Adelaide plays a practice match against Port Adelaide’s SANFL side at Alberton Oval from 3pm.
Adelaide will then play three SANFL trial games – on Friday, February 27 against Woodville West Torrens at West Lakes at 6pm; on Saturday, March 14 against Central Districts at Elizabeth from 10am; and Saturday, March 21 against South Adelaide at Noarlunga at 2.10pm – before starting the 2026 SANFL campaign on Saturday, March 28 against West Adelaide at Richmond Oval at 2.10pm.
