“I don’t really know where it came from,” he said. “I think I was just going out and trying to play the way I know I can play, and people started to take note of it a bit. I was just trying to play to my strengths and do what I do best.”

Greater Western Sydney have shown particular interest in the Dandenong product due to their need for key-position depth. The Giants currently hold pick two, but may opt to trade the selection given Andrew is likely to remain available by the mid-range of the top 10.

Andrew expects to commence his career as a forward.

“When I put on a bit more size, I could probably go into the ruck a bit more,” he explained. “But for me, probably more so as a forward-ruck, playing up forward and pinch-hitting in the ruck when they need me to.”

The smooth-moving tall prides himself on his ability to act as a fourth midfielder. Following ruck contests, he is known to crumb his own hitouts, speed away from opposition onballers and advance the ball forward with his rare big-man kicking skills.

“I like to follow up after I do my ruck taps, and try to help out my midfielders as much as I can, whether that’s on the ground or in the air. My follow-up work is something I really take pride in. I feel like it’s a real strength of my game,” he said.

Loading

The Egyptian-born Andrew, whose parents fled war-torn South Sudan, was particularly moved by Majak Daw as a junior. Now, he is eager to use his football platform to inspire the next generation.

“Especially Majak, I grew up watching him as a kid and you just think, ‘I want to do that same thing’, but now to think I could inspire other kids to play, it is kind of crazy.”

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.