AFL

Bryan Strauchan arrived at Collingwood and immediately announced his superstardom by telling everyone at the club that he was in fact, a superstar. Taken with the last pick in the 2004 draft by the pies, 'Strauchanie', as he is affectionately known, is still to play his first senior game. It is the most anticipated debut in football history. Network Ten's 'Before the Game' has closely followed his progress, documenting the struggle of the raw recruit as he tried to make his mark on the AFL landscape.

Strauchanie was born Bryan Keith Strauchan in Horsham in 1984 and credits his success to his diverse cultural heritage. He is Asian on his mother's side. That, combined with his retired P.E teaching father, has somehow, Strauchanie believes, created a unique talent, the likes of which the world has never seen. This was evident at a very early age, with Strauchanie standing out from the other kids – mainly due to his size alone. Having told some stories about his own amazing feats on the football field, Strauchanie soon developed a formidable reputation. Collingwood were keen to find out more and added him to their llist of impressive young guns.

Strauchanie hasn't really come on as they'd hoped and his place at the club is under threat. Injury, allergy, form and self-inflicted misfortune have conspired to stifle his chances, but he remain positive and confident that he can push for selection. Hopefully, it's only a matter of time. His frequent appearances on 'Before the Game' have elevated him to cult hero status and ensured that he has become a household name. Strauchanie is in constant demand as a guest speaker and is a regular on the media circuit. The Bryan Strauchan story continues to surprise and inspire football followers of all ages and will do so for generations to come.