Harris Andrews Biography

Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale win the inaugural Ron Barassi Medal as co-captains of the 2024 premiership-winning Lions team.

Harris Andrews says watching an Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon more than a decade ago changed the trajectory of his career.

The 16-year-old "footy head" made the trek to Melbourne in 2013 to watch his beloved Bombers get over the Magpies in front of a crowd of more than 93,000 people.

At that stage of his own career, Andrews was playing under-age football for Aspley, not yet on the radar of Brisbane Academy or Queensland selectors.

"I remember sitting in the stands thinking, 'Geez, that would be pretty awesome to be out there'," Andrews said.

"It was probably at that stage that I thought if I want to make this happen, I've got to do something about it. I was loving playing at Aspley, then the opportunity arose to be part of the Academy … and I really enjoyed that environment."

Harris Andrews claims his first Merrett-Murray Medal as Brisbane's best and fairest in 2023.

Brisbane name Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews as co-captains for the 2023 season.

"I love what we stand for as a club, love everyone at the club. Really excited to be alongside Lach. We're a little bit different ... and we're going to bounce things off each other and learn along the way," Andrews said.

"I've always loved this club since I stepped foot in the door. The culture of the place is phenomenal, and they've made me feel really welcome ever since I stepped foot into Brisbane," Neale said.

Harris Andrews is looking to be a more balanced defender in 2022 following an off-season of reflection on his game.

"I did a lot of reflecting at the end of last season and understood I need to be better as a footballer and teammate. It's just finding that balance between stopping my opponent and looking to help out guys elsewhere," he said.

"A couple of times last year opposition forwards were able to get on top of me and kick a few goals and I probably lost a bit of balance in that sense. I'm continually learning my craft and building my understanding of the game in different situations."

Former Bomber and Lions recruit Joe Daniher recalls the day he sustained damage to his teeth after an encounter with his new Brisbane teammate Harris Andrews.

As the Lions and Bombers fought out a virtual wooden spoon battle at what was then Etihad Stadium in round 18 of 2016, a stray elbow from Andrews caught Daniher in the mouth.

"He does remind me every now and then, the chief (Andrews)," Daniher laughed following a training session.

"They're still a little bit crooked, there's still a little bit of work to do. I might wait until the footy career is over before I get them all cleaned up."

Harris Andrews now says he will be ready for the Lions' qualifying final against Richmond after rehabilitating his hamstring tear.

"I got a little bit of training in this morning and will have a really good hit-out on Friday. If everything goes to plan and I tick a few boxes, I'll be ready to go," he said.

Harris Andrews says he'll take no shortcuts in his rehabilitation from a hamstring tear, even if that means missing finals.

"Hopefully, I've got a long career ahead of me and risking one game probably isn't the right answer at this point. I'll be doing everything I can to get my body right (and) get my hamstring right," he said.

Harris Andrews signs a four-year contract extension to remain at Brisbane until the end of 2025.

"I love the club and I'm a proud Queenslander. I couldn't imagine playing or living anywhere else. I've got a great bunch of mates here, our coaches and all the support staff are first class and I have no doubt here is where I will play my best football," he said.

Brisbane is bracing to be without Harris Andrews until the second or third week of finals after the scans reveal his hamstring injury to be worse than first thought.

Harris Andrews says he has modeled his game after Alex Rance and Jeremy McGovern.

"(Rance) has probably got a little bit more athleticism than me, but I've watched countless hours of him and Jeremy McGovern, and the way they go about their footy," Andrews said.

"And certainly taking that next step as a defender, and not just locking down your bloke, but your ability to win the ball back is something in the modern day which is extremely important.

"Watching footage of those guys and how they position themselves at stoppages and the way they work with their teammates to create opportunities - it cannot be understated how important it is to have a good back six (defenders)."

Dayne Zorko will captain Brisbane in 2019 after the club announced an eight-man leadership group that also included recruit Lachie Neale.

Along with Neale, rugged defender Darcy Gardiner and young midfielder Jarrod Berry have been added.

They join established leaders Harris Andrews, Stefan Martin, Ryan Lester and Allen Christensen.

Seven months after a horrific collision with Jeremy Cameron that left a small bleed in his brain, Harris Andrews reveals he worked with Brisbane's psychologist before taking the field again.

"I've been very lucky to not have any ongoing symptoms," he said.

"I did a bit of work, technique and mentally, being able to put myself in that position again and realising it was a freak accident and probably wouldn't happen again.

"Nothing is going to change the way I play football. If I find myself in that position I'll absolutely be going for that footy again and having no second thoughts."

Jeremy Cameron admits his lengthy suspension for striking Brisbane's Harris Andrews earlier this season lingers in his head whenever he steps onto the field.

"My role in the side is to create a contest and go for my marks, and it's a fine line, especially because you have bodies coming back at you from all sorts of different angles," he said.

"That's the hardest part because the guys in our game are so courageous, and it can be quite dangerous at times.

"I'm still going to attack the ball the way I've learnt but I need to think my way through it a lot more and be wary of what I can and can't do."

Jeremy Cameron has opened up about the fallout from his five-game ban for striking Brisbane's Harris Andrews, and the critics who wrote off his team's season in the aftermath.

"There was a lot spoken about the incident and the first four or five days were a bit full on, but that whole time my main concern was Harris," Cameron said.

"I hate seeing a player going like that in any sport, let alone be a part of it.

"It was great to see him back out there doing what he does best on the weekend.

"It was a week like I hadn't had before, and it was stressful at times, but I've got the right people around me (for support)."

Harris Andrews returns to the Lions' senior side, four weeks after suffering concussion and a small bleed on the brain following a collision with Giant Jeremy Cameron.

"We did some match practice this morning where he had to fly back with the flight and go for his marks and he didn't seem to be any different to the normal Harris Andrews," Lions coach Chris Fagan said.

"But we'll wait and see, he's only human. Maybe the game situation is a little bit different, hopefully not, but he's certainly ready to go."

GWS co-captain Phil Davis has leapt to Jeremy Cameron's defence, blasting critics of the controversial incident that saw his teammate suspended for five weeks.

Cameron's heavy contact with his elbow on defender Harris Andrews during Saturday's win over Brisbane left the Lion with concussion and brain bleeding.

"I think people that don't understand that, in particular, are certain journalists who sit behind the microphone, their pieces of paper and haven't lived it and experienced it," Davis said.

"Your natural instinct, which is human survival, takes over and you have to protect yourself.

"Unfortunately in this situation Jeremy's mechanism to protect himself lent harm to Harris and I hope Harris is going well and we send our support there."

Lions ruckman Stefan Martin is critical of Jeremy Cameron's high knock which caused teammate Harris Andrews to be hospitalized with internal bleeding of the brain.

"It obviously looked really graphic," Martin said.

"It was pretty hard to see Harris on the ground making noises and right out of it. We've seen enough times that it can end careers, it would have to go through your mind.

"Having said that, there's no reason so far from what the neurosurgeon has said to make us think that's on the cards."

Jeremy Cameron will miss the next five weeks after the Greater Western Sydney star copped a hefty suspension from the AFL Tribunal for his crude strike on Brisbane youngster Harris Andrews.

Cameron pleaded not guilty to striking Andrews intentionally, arguing that his hit on the defender should be graded as the lesser charge of careless.

However, after 33 minutes of deliberating, the Tribunal upheld the view that his strike was intentional and ruled the Giants forward ineligible from playing until round 20.

"I'd just like to say I didn't mean to hurt Harris," Cameron said afterwards.

"Unfortunately, I did. I'm very sorry for that and I hope he gets back to playing football very soon."

Harris Andrews is diagnosed with internal bleeding of the brain, caused by his sickening collision with GWS forward Jeremy Cameron, and will miss at least the next two matches.

"Our discussions with the neurosurgeon have been encouraging as they expect Harris to make a full recovery," Brisbane football manager David Noble said.

"He will have a follow-up scan in two weeks' time, when we will know more."

Jeremy Cameron is sent straight to the tribunal after his high hit on Harris Andrews graded as intentional, with severe impact and high contact.

Harris Andrews is admitted to hospital after his condition worsened following a sickening incident with GWS forward Jeremy Cameron at the Gabba.

"Harris is in good spirits, but we will be watching him closely for the next 24-48 hours," Lions general manager of football David Noble said.

"He will have a number of scans over the next few days."

Jeremy Cameron is set to come under scrutiny from the Match Review Officer after he was reported for striking Harris Andrews in an incident that left the young Lion concussed.

Cameron raised his elbow in a marking contest, making contact with Andrews' jaw while the Lions vice-captain was trying to spoil.

Andrews crashed to the ground with blood streaming from his mouth and barely moved before being stretchered off.

The 21-year-old had his jaw stitched shortly after the incident and watched the remainder of the Giants' 27-point win from the bench.

Harris Andrews has become a key piece in the Lions' defence in 2018.

Andrews' record 23 spoils against Sydney was the most by any player in the AFL and 21-year old has spent a higher percentage of time on the field than any other player this season at 97.5%.

Dayne Beams steps aside as Brisbane captain, indefinitely as he deals with the death of his father Phillip to cancer.

Dayne Zorko will replace Beams as captain, with Harris Andrews taking on the vice-captaincy role.

"The last three months for myself, I’m not going to lie, they’ve been bloody difficult, and I’ve experienced some really bad lows," Beams said.

"I think footy’s been hard for me because I associated football with my father. So it feels like a big chunk of my football life is missing at the moment.

"So, I just feel like I need some time to find where I belong in the game. And just find my feet again and find my love for the game again."

Harris Andrews is barely 21 but will captain Brisbane for the first time against Sydney in their 2018 JLT Community Series opener at Burpengary.

"Firstly, to get put into the leadership group last year and to work my way up, and now with a couple of boys out this weekend, it's a good opportunity to lead," he said.

"I'm pretty vocal on the ground. I think I do a reasonably good job of talking to my teammates and instructing them."

Dayne Beams will captain the Brisbane Lions for a second straight season in 2018.

Beams will be deputised by Dayne Zorko who takes the vice-captain role, while Harris Andrews has been promoted as deputy vice-captain.

Stefan Martin, Ryan Lester and Allen Christensen will remain as leaders for the club.

Harris Andrews signs a three-year contract extension that will tie him to the Brisbane Lions until the end of 2021.

"The direction the club is heading in really excites me. There was no doubt I was going to stay here," Andrews said.

"We're all on the same lines of understanding where the club is going and the direction it's taking. It's a very exciting time for all the young boys."

Dayne Beams will lead the Brisbane Lions in 2017 after being confirmed as the club's new captain, taking over from Tom Rockliff, who was named vice-captain.

Dayne Zorko is the deputy vice-captain, while Stefan Martin, Allen Christensen, Ryan Lester and Harris Andrews make up the rest of the seven-man leadership group.

"I like to think I'm an action-based leader, I lead by example," Beams said.

"I do what I say and I think the overriding thing is I'm really passionate about the football club and where it's heading.

"We've got some emerging young talent and I'm looking forward to seeing that blossom."

Harris Andrews says he is in no rush for success and has total confidence that the Brisbane Lions will be fine in the long run.

"As a young fella you're happy to take your time and progress slowly," Andrews said.

"It's going to take time, we're all young and that progression each year is going to be important.

"Brisbane's my home. My family and friends are here. I love the club and they’ve done so much for me."

Harris Andrews signs a new deal with Brisbane that will keep him at the club until at least the end of 2018.

Standing at 200cm, Andrews has played 17 games since his round three debut and impressed with his composure and ability to take contested marks.

"Brisbane is where I want to be, I’ve really enjoyed it here at the club and this is my home," Andrews said.

Harris Andrews is the round 18 Rising Star nominee after he hauled in 12 marks – three contested – and racked up 22 touches, which he used at an elite 96 per cent disposal efficiency, while playing loose in defence in Brisbane's 56-point loss to Geelong.

Andrews has filled gaps at both ends this year, booting four majors, but feels as though he's found his niche trying to stop goals with his intercept marking rather than kicking them himself.

"Because I'm still a bit lightly built I've been able to play off my man a bit and then come in a bit later," Andrews said.

"It's a bit different to up forward when you've got a bloke holding on to you and scragging you.

"I've done a fair bit of work over the off-season on marking, because the way the game's going it's a pretty valuable trait."

Harris Andrews makes his AFL debut for Brisbane at the Gabba with 9 disposals (3 kicks and 6 handballs), 2 marks, a tackle, 13 hitouts and a goal in a 79-point loss to Richmond.