Mac Andrew has had a budding career full of promise with ups and downs along the way. Absence through long-term injury of Charlie Ballard has led to him assuming the role of centre half back for most of the 2025 season, but last week he was given the role at full back on reigning Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan, with Sam Collins demoted from his usual post. Is this an indication of anything more permanent in the depth chart at the Suns, or was it just a horses-for-courses decision by coach Damien Hardwick? An interesting watch with some fantasy implications.
Mac Andrew has had a budding career full of promise with ups and downs along the way. Absence through long-term injury of Charlie Ballard has led to him assuming the role of centre half back for most of the 2025 season, but last week he was given the role at full back on reigning Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan, with Sam Collins demoted from his usual post. Is this an indication of anything more permanent in the depth chart at the Suns, or was it just a horses-for-courses decision by coach Damien Hardwick? An interesting watch with some fantasy implications.
Mac Andrew has inherited the centre half back position in the senior side at Gold Coast in 2025 due mostly to a long-term injury to Charlie Ballard. It was about time he cemented a spot in the best 22 at the Suns anyway, but he has more responsibility with Ballard missing, and Damien Hardwick choosing to play smaller defenders like Will Powell and Bodhi Uwland to man up on third talls. He has not reached his full potential yet, as he has the athleticism to play back-shoulder when required or to play zone like Darcy Moore. A fantasy premium in the making.
Mac Andrew has been given more responsibility at the Gold Coast Suns under the new coaching regime of Damien Hardwick, and he has responded with some eye-catching plays. He has graduated from fringe flanker and gone past Charlie Ballard to become first-choice centre half back, using his spring to get in position to spoil rather than bulk, and showing a lot of dash on rebound. He is never going to be a back-shoulder stopper in the mould of Bruce Doull, but more like Peter Knights. The sort of piece that a finals team can be built around.
