The Sydney Swans have selected 21-year old ruckman Lachlan McAndrew in tonight's NAB Mid-season AFL Rookie Draft.

The athletic, QBE Sydney Swans Academy product from the Northern Beaches stands almost 210cm and was drafted by the Swans as a long-term ruck prospect and will be given time to develop both his ruck craft and football knowledge.

Kinnear Beatson, Head of Recruiting & List Strategy said McAndrew was an investment into the future and will have the opportunity to work with Dean Cox as well Swans senior ruckmen Tom Hickey, Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith.

"McAndrew only started playing AFL late in the 2019 season after playing rugby union and was a ISS Rep whilst attending St.Augustines," Beatson said.

"He joined the QBE Sydney Swans Academy after being encouraged to give AFL a go by the Head of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, Chris Smith. 

"He has played two games for Sydney in the new VFL competition this year as well as some practice matches and has locked horns with AFL players Shane Mumford (GWS), Darcy Fort (Geelong) and Sam Draper (Essendon) where he has shown a real desire to compete as well as the ability to learn quickly via both instructions from our coaches as well on field experiences.

"The mid-season rookie draft saw seven young ruckmen taken in the 22 selections utilised during the draft in a clear indication clubs weren’t prepared to wait for the AFL National Draft scheduled for November later this year to draft a ruckman."

In McAndrew' transition to AFL, he was mentored by former Swans player and ruck coach Steve Taubert alongside Academy coach Jared Crouch who, with Sydney Swans Assistant Coach, Dean Cox, have all praised his ability to be coached.

Head of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, Chris Smith said he was very proud and excited for McAndrew and said that the former student has great athleticism and a real drive to learn.

"Lachie is a very modest and realistic, he understood he had to be patient and work hard," Smith said.

"He is very well liked within the playing groups of the Academy, VFL and amongst senior players.

"We are all very proud of Lachie, and everyone associated with his development to date we will be watching the next stage of his career with interest."