This time last year, Crows ruckman Kieran Strachan was wrestling with his footy future.
He had just discovered a stress fracture in his foot – his second in three months – and was facing the prospect of a long rehab, with no assurances he would ever pull on the Crows’ tri-colours again.
Fast forward 12 months and not only is Strachan well and truly back on the field, but he was this week unveiled as the Captain of the Club’s SANFL side for 2026.
“A lot’s happened in 12 months,” the 30-year-old said with a smile.
Rewind to February 2025, and Strachan was diligently rehabbing an acute navicular stress fracture in his right foot, which had required surgery, when he pulled up sore after a rehab session.
“They found a second stress fracture in a completely different spot in my foot,” he recalled.
“With my navicular, I was disappointed, but when I got the second one, I was back to square one.
"That was a tough time.”
With it being uncommon to develop two stress fractures in the same foot, Strachan’s rehabilitation timeline was unknown, leaving the Crows vulnerable in ruck.
“It all happened quickly from there,” he explained.
“The Club spoke about various options, and they fully supported me I could do either (stay on the list and go through rehab or move to the inactive list so they could bring in another ruckman)."
In the end, “Strachanie” made the team-first decision to move to the Club’s inactive list for the 2025 season, allowing the Crows to bring in former Sydney ruckman Lachlan McAndrew as Reilly O’Brien’s understudy.
Strachan, who was drafted by the Crows in the 2018 Rookie Draft, was delisted at the end of the 2025 AFL season.
He played seven AFL games.
But his story wasn’t over.
During his rehab, Strachan took on coaching roles with both the SANFL and AFLW sides – and relished being a part of the game he loved from the other side of the white line.
“I’d gone through so much disappointment and being not sure what the future held, to starting with the AFLW side and helping Wrighty (SANFL Coach Matthew Wright) and Moose (SANFL assistant Andrew McPherson) and dipping my toes into what might be a future career,” Strachan said.
“For both the Club and myself, it was easy to do what I did last year (becoming inactive).
“And to be honest, I was able to flip the script in the end.”
Flip the script he did.
Stachan’s rehab progressed more quickly than anticipated and he returned to the SANFL side in Round Seven, playing 14 matches – including in his fourth finals campaign – averaging 13.6 disposals, 18.7 hit outs and 3.7 marks.
Last year, he also became the first Adelaide player to play 100 SANFL Club games: another milestone achieved for the Club’s most decorated State League player.
“Now that I didn’t have the pressure of trying to press for AFL selection week-in, week-out, I could just go out there and enjoy it,” he said.
“And then the coaching as well, I really loved that.
“The Club was so good; opened the doors and said, ‘Yep, we’ll be able to help you if that’s what you want to do’.
“The girls in the AFLW program are super welcoming and they have a good culture that I really enjoyed being a part of their environment, so I got a good look at both sides.
“I think coaching is now definitely a career path I’m working on.”
Most of all, he has no regrets, especially as he steps into his new role as Captain.
“To be into my eighth year here, and seven years on an AFL list is something I’m proud of,” Stachan says.
“Obviously I would have loved to play more AFL games, but at the same time, I got to live out a dream every day and work a pretty unique job … I’m proud of that.
“And the SANFL is a super strong comp, if not the strongest outside the AFL, so what I’ve done in the SANFL during my time I’m also proud of (including winning three Club State League Best and Fairests).
“I’m not one to be in the limelight, but the captaincy is something I’m extremely fortunate and grateful for.
“As Captain, I want to drive high standards, be approachable and lead by example.”
Throughout 2026, Strachan will continue to develop his coaching, returning to the AFLW program as a midfield coach, and taking the evening sessions with the SANFL squad alongside former Norwood Premiership player Matthew Panos.
“It’s really fast-tracking my coaching development,” Strachan said.
“I’m also training with the AFL squad during the day, and then coaching at night, so they’re long days, but I love it and I know how well it’s going for me, personally.”
Strachan will captain the SANFL team when they take on Port Adelaide’s SANFL side in a trial game at Alberton Oval on Friday, February 20 from 3pm.
