Adelaide Senior Coach Matthew Nicks says ruckman Kieran Strachan “can’t wait” to face off against one of the league’s best in Max Gawn.

With Reilly O’Brien suffering a low-grade lateral ligament tear in his knee last weekend, the door was opened for Strachan to return to AFL level. 

“Strachany’s been knocking the door down now for a good month. He’s been playing great footy at SANFL level,” Nicks told the media on Friday. 

“The step-up is huge, but there was a period around four weeks ago where we were close to bringing him into the side.

“That was my conversation with Strachany, ‘stay consistent with your form and the opportunity will present itself’.”

Strachan will go head-to-head with All-Australian ruckman Gawn when Adelaide takes on Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday. 

“A lot of sides have a very strong No. 1 ruckman, so no matter who he was playing against he was going to have a big job. However, none bigger than Gawn this week,” Nicks said. 

Despite the looming challenge, Nicks said Strachany couldn’t wait to get out on the big stage. 

“Strachany gets the opportunity to come out in an AFL game at the MCG against the best ruckman in the competition,” Nicks said.

“He can’t wait, he’s been smiling and walking around the rooms - he’s up and about.”

Adelaide will face Melbourne at 1.40pm ACST (2.10pm AEST) on Sunday, August 15. 

The game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 in Adelaide and nationwide on Fox Footy.