Senior Harris Andrews (2014-) (Co-Captain)

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Player Reviews: Part Six

The rise of Harris Andrews was the feel-good story for Lions’ supporters in 2015. Eighteen months ago, the tall teenager was barely on the national radar; but now, with 17 games under his belt, the 18-year-old defender looks set to develop into one of the games’ best young defenders. Andrews’ excellent first year form culminated in a Rising Star nomination in Round 18 for his defensive work against the more mature Geelong side. Signing a contract extension until the end of 2018, from almost nowhere, the Brisbane-raised product has given the club a key position player for the next decade.
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Brisbane Lions youngster Harris Andrews can’t wait to get stuck into pre-season ahead of 2016

HARRIS Andrews was the ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark and stormy 2015 for the Brisbane Lions. And he is not about to let the threat of ‘second-year syndrome’ rain on his parade. He said the key to avoiding the second-season form slump that has claimed so many was simple — hard work.

“I’m actually excited about pre-season. A few weeks into your time off, you start really missing footy and looking forward to training,’’ Andrews said. Andrews did not expect to play a senior game in 2015, let alone 19, with his 22-touch, 12-mark outing against Geelong in Round 18 the highlight. “I expected to play reserves all year because I was still pretty raw and pretty skinny. I just wanted the chance to work on my game and get better,’’ he said.

Andrews, who shares a house with teammates Cian Hanley and Hugh Beasley, said the cubs at Brisbane were a “tight-knit’’ group determined to stay together for the climb up the AFL ladder. “I’d like to think we can all grow together. It’s a good opportunity. I know in the backline that guys like Justin Clarke, Darcy Gardiner and myself have a chance to come through together as a unit which should be exciting,” he said.
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I hope this kid has a massive pre season. I got 4 weeks off starting next week. (Newborn). Gonna take my oldest boy (2) down and watch them do some running seeing as though they are members now they might aswell see where my money is going haha.
 
Harris Andrews Straight Back Into It

Brisbane Lions Assistant Coach Gary O’Donnell said Harris Andrews was straight back to where he left off in 2015 after the Club’s first full-ground match simulation of the year at Coorparoo this morning.

“It’s all only early days, but Harris Andrews started where he left off."
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New Gym Helping Harris Andrews Bulk Up

Harris Andrews said damage to the Club’s gym in October had been somewhat of a ‘blessing in disguise’.

The Lions were forced to refurbish their gym facilities after it was flooded following a major water leak.

“This is a massive step forward for the Club to get the new facility,” Andrews said.

“It’s sort of been a bit of a blessing in disguise with the new gym and what happened.”

Andrews has added some bulk to his frame over the summer and is on track to improve on his breakout season in 2015.

“I’ve put on about four kilos,” he said.

“You don’t want to chuck it on too quickly otherwise your body breaks down. I’m going along alright, just trying to build that strength and get up hopefully to where Stef (Martin) reaches one day.

“I’ve just got to be realistic and try to build from week to week. It would be nice to build on what I did last year.”

Andrews said a focus for 2016 was his offensive ball use in the backline.

“I’ve been making sure I work on short kicking, getting the ball moving in the back half which will help the team as a whole.”
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Pre-Season Stand Outs

Harris Andrews is noticeably stronger entering his second season. At 19, the young key defender was a standout last year and looks to have improved ahead of 2016. He's still a way off reaching his ideal playing weight, but the extra strength in his upper body should pay off in one-on-one marking contests against more seasoned players.
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The Boys Who Have Bulked Up

Andrews has added another 6kgs to his frame over the summer and is on track to improve on his breakout season in 2015.

Andrews is markedly stronger through the upper body, but just as impressive is the extra athleticism he's shown around the field during the pre-season. Last year, the 19-year-old played 19 games as a key defender with his role often having him drift across to mark as the third man up. Andrews’ extra strength will allow him to play key position as he matures.
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Who's Set To Explode in 2016

Harris Andrews’ impressive debut season was capped off when he received a Rising Star Nomination in Round 18 last year.

The 19-year-old has added another 6kgs to his frame over the summer break and is on track to improve on his exceptional 2015.

He is markedly stronger through the upper body, but just as impressive is the extra athleticism he's shown around the field during the pre-season.

Last year, he played 19 games as a key defender with his role often having him drift across to mark as the third man up. Andrews’ extra strength will allow him to play key position as he matures.

He finished eighth in the club’s best and fairest count and his ability to integrate into the best 22 was a exciting sign for the Lions’ future.

This youngster looks set for a breakout 2016.
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Recovery Report: Harris To Miss Pies Clash

The Brisbane Lions have been dealt an injury blow with key defender Harris Andrews to miss Saturday’s clash with Collingwood at The Gabba. Andrews’ injury follows news that Captain Tom Rockliff will miss at least the next two weeks’ of football with a hamstring tear. The Club will consult specialists to review the extent of a plantar fascia injury in 19-year-old Andrews’ foot.

“Harris has pulled up with a sore foot after the game. “We’ve had that scanned and he’s seen a specialist as well. He’s got an issue with the plantar fascia of his foot. “He’s definitely out this week and we’ll review it again with a specialist early next week.”
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Meanwhile, defender Harris Andrews will miss the Collingwood match after medical staff discovered he has a plantar fascia injury. The 19-year-old pulled up with a sore foot after last week's game against Port Adelaide and will consult specialists to review the extent of the injury.

Lions physiotherapist Shane Lemke told the club website Andrews would definitely miss round eight and a decision on when he was likely to return would not be possible until next week. "We’ll review it again with a specialist early next week," Lemke said.
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TheBrownDog said:
Plantar fascia isn't quite one of those potentially disastrous foot injuries like a navicular or lisfranc though is it?
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Not generally. It's usually "just" pain that can be managed in the worst case, best case it goes away with rest.
 
Andrews latest Lion struck down
THE injury curse continues to cripple Queensland clubs with Brisbane defender Harris Andrews to miss Saturday night’s Gabba clash against Collingwood due to a foot problem. Andrews pulled up sore after the 77-point loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday.

He will wear a moon boot for the next week and be reassessed on Monday but the painful foot-arch ligament injury requires complete rest, so Andrews may also be in doubt for the Round 9 match-up with Melbourne.

Brisbane will take a conservative approach with the 19-year-old, given he is only 26 games into what shapes as a highly promising career. The last thing they need is a long-term injury to a key defender after the premature retirement of Justin Clarke.
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Andrews: "It's going to be physical"

A WIN over arch rival Gold Coast means just that little bit more for the Brisbane Lions, says young defender Harris Andrews.

The Lions have won just once this year – against the Suns in Round 4 – and Andrews is confident they can double up when the teams square off at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

While the first 10 encounters between the clubs were relatively calm in terms of local rivalries, it exploded earlier in the season when Lions ruckman Stefan Martin was KO'd by Gold Coast vice-captain Steven May.

Andrews talked it down as merely a "big incident" but said the Lions took a little extra pleasure in defeating their south-east Queensland neighbours.

"I think the derby has built over the last few years," Andrews said.

"We do go out every week and give it our all, but it is good to try and get a win over the blokes down the road.

"They're still fairly new in the competition and it's a good competition against them."

Andrews said he was impressed by the Suns' win over St Kilda on Saturday, but said the Lions were refreshed after their bye.

"It's going to be a physical game on Saturday," he said.

"It's going to be physical early and it's going to be the team that settles in first that gets the chocolates."

Despite being in just his second season, 19-year-old Andrews could be pivotal if the Lions are to spring a second upset this year.

He will either have to defend All Australian contender Tom Lynch or this week's NAB Rising Star nominee Peter Wright.

Both took double-figure marks against the Saints and will be a handful for a Lions defence that concedes 126 points a game.

"We're going to have to hunt them hard and try and keep it in our forward half as much as we can," Andrews said.

"We've looked at our defensive setups over the break. We've made some changes.

"A win would be massive. We haven't won a game in a little while. I'm looking forward to it."
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