STRENGTHS:

+ Athleticism
+ Competitiveness
+ Upside
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Durability
- Size

Often referred to with ties to brother, Mac of Gold Coast Suns fame, Riak Andrew began to truly establish his own path to the top level in 2024. He returned to the Dandenong Stingrays as an over-ager and found a home in defence, where his improvements showed in the back-end of the year with competitive lockdown roles on dangerous key forwards.

Perhaps the best marker of Andrew's development from flashes of potential to a genuinely reliable backman came in his progressive matchups against Allies and Bendigo Pioneers forward, Jobe Shanahan. He kicked five goals on Andrew in the Coates Talent League and three in the National Championships, before being held goalless in the same Wildcard Round matchup.

Andrew, a member of Melbourne's Next Generation Academy, has always been a noted athlete at 193cm with good speed off the mark and aerial ability, pointing towards good upside. He has also played in every third of the ground before nailing down a spot down back this year. Improvement came with a clean run of form, and at 193cm with rawness and a slight frame, he still has further potential to unlock.

DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS: