Latest news with #HarrisAndrews
News.com.au
05-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tom Doedee in contention to make long-awaited maiden top-flight appearance for Brisbane
Lions co-captain Harris Andrews has hailed the 'resilience' of former Adelaide defender Tom Doedee, who is close to his first AFL appearance for Brisbane since joining the club almost two years ago. Doedee signed a four-year deal with the Lions in October 2023, and there were high hopes he would become a key member of Brisbane's backline despite him still recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at the time. However, just days before what was expected to be his first top-flight appearance for Brisbane in March last year, Doedee suffered a partial ACL tear in the same knee during a training session. Sidelined for another season, the Geelong product returned to action with Brisbane's VFL team in April this year. It was the first of 12 appearances for the club's reserves team this year, with the Lions taking a cautious approach with his comeback. However, on the back of improving form and four successive VFL games, Doedee is in contention for AFL selection this weekend, with the Lions needing to find a replacement for concussion victim Ryan Lester for their Gabba clash with the Sydney Swans on Saturday. 'He's been playing really well,' Andrews said of the 28-year-old ex-Crows star. 'I watched a little bit of the game from the VFL on the weekend, and he looked to be in good form, so potentially (there's) an opportunity (for him). 'He's been so unfortunate with some of the setbacks that he's had to deal with, but I truly admire the resilience, the grit, the ability to just get on with life. 'He's someone that regardless of the fact that his body has let him down at times, the way he turns up at the club each and every day with a real energy and a real vibe is great. 'I've really enjoyed his time at the footy club. It'd be great to get him out there on the field with us and playing, but I'm sure that will come at some stage. 'There are a lot of guys in the VFL who have been putting their hand up, giving it their best shot. We play the same way, AFL and VFL, so whoever comes in will be ready to go.' Incase you needed reminding about the weekend 🤩ðŸ'¸ — Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) August 4, 2025 Confidence is high in third-placed Brisbane's camp after a 27-point weekend win over Collingwood at the MCG. It was the perfect response to a disappointing QClash loss to the Gold Coast Suns a week earlier. Andrews said it was now the Lions' job to retain the same 'edge' they showed against the Magpies against a Swans outfit out of finals contention. 'When we've had a poor performance, or had a really tough month coming into a big game, we've been able to get the job done, and we need to make sure as players that we hold up our end of the bargain (against Sydney) and put ourselves on edge,' he said. 'We're aware that the Swans are going to want to come up and try to have a good game against us, but we're really excited. 'If we just focus on what we can control, and that's our effort and our intent, results will look after themselves … but it's important that we come on edge.'
The Advertiser
04-08-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Hawks' Sicily looms as big threat for wounded Magpies
James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn in the Thursday night AFL blockbuster against Collingwood. AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack. Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG. The loss to Brisbane cost Collingwood top spot and they only have one win from their last four games. "They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch. "If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match." Despite Collingwood's form wobble, Buckley remained optimistic about their prospects. "This Thursday night becomes crucial. The 'Pies will look pretty good in the next two weeks - I didn't pick them on the weekend," Buckley said. "The double chance is really important. I didn't have them out as far in front as everyone said and I don't have them that far back at the moment, either." Buckley added key defender Jeremy Howe had been a key absentee for the Magpies. He has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Howe and fellow backman Billy Frampton (calf) could return against the Hawks. "Howe is the one, for me ... his leadership and his control of that back six is crucial," Buckley said. "He's leading Darcy Moore in positioning. He gets across and closes off and shuts down a dangerous situation ... time for the cavalry to get back, re-set." Earlier on Monday, Buckley said Howe was the "glue" that held the backline together. "Darcy Moore is the captain, but he is not the glue of the back six," Buckley told SEN. "In fact, without Jeremy Howe I think Darcy Moore is 75 per cent of the player that he has become." James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn in the Thursday night AFL blockbuster against Collingwood. AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack. Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG. The loss to Brisbane cost Collingwood top spot and they only have one win from their last four games. "They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch. "If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match." Despite Collingwood's form wobble, Buckley remained optimistic about their prospects. "This Thursday night becomes crucial. The 'Pies will look pretty good in the next two weeks - I didn't pick them on the weekend," Buckley said. "The double chance is really important. I didn't have them out as far in front as everyone said and I don't have them that far back at the moment, either." Buckley added key defender Jeremy Howe had been a key absentee for the Magpies. He has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Howe and fellow backman Billy Frampton (calf) could return against the Hawks. "Howe is the one, for me ... his leadership and his control of that back six is crucial," Buckley said. "He's leading Darcy Moore in positioning. He gets across and closes off and shuts down a dangerous situation ... time for the cavalry to get back, re-set." Earlier on Monday, Buckley said Howe was the "glue" that held the backline together. "Darcy Moore is the captain, but he is not the glue of the back six," Buckley told SEN. "In fact, without Jeremy Howe I think Darcy Moore is 75 per cent of the player that he has become." James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn in the Thursday night AFL blockbuster against Collingwood. AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack. Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG. The loss to Brisbane cost Collingwood top spot and they only have one win from their last four games. "They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch. "If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match." Despite Collingwood's form wobble, Buckley remained optimistic about their prospects. "This Thursday night becomes crucial. The 'Pies will look pretty good in the next two weeks - I didn't pick them on the weekend," Buckley said. "The double chance is really important. I didn't have them out as far in front as everyone said and I don't have them that far back at the moment, either." Buckley added key defender Jeremy Howe had been a key absentee for the Magpies. He has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Howe and fellow backman Billy Frampton (calf) could return against the Hawks. "Howe is the one, for me ... his leadership and his control of that back six is crucial," Buckley said. "He's leading Darcy Moore in positioning. He gets across and closes off and shuts down a dangerous situation ... time for the cavalry to get back, re-set." Earlier on Monday, Buckley said Howe was the "glue" that held the backline together. "Darcy Moore is the captain, but he is not the glue of the back six," Buckley told SEN. "In fact, without Jeremy Howe I think Darcy Moore is 75 per cent of the player that he has become."
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Brisbane Lions co-captain Harris Andrews says AFL will be better with the addition of Greg Swann
Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews will miss the 'energy' of departing Lions chief executive officer Greg Swann but says his move to AFL headquarters will be for the betterment of the competition and supporters. Swann will leave the Lions next month after 11 years at the club after being poached by the AFL to become the organisation's head of football performance, with his duties including taking charge of game analysis, match review, player movement and laws of the game. 'It's exciting for the AFL to get someone that's so accomplished and with such great perspective,' Andrews said. 'He's a fan of the game, so he thinks about things like that. For the AFL to get someone in that position to think about what's going to be best for the fans as well is important.' Having arrived at the Lions in the same year as Swann, Andrews has seen everything that the veteran administrator has done to help turn the club into an AFL powerhouse on and off the field. 'We're obviously sad to lose him … he's been a real rock for us as a club,' Andrews said. 'He's overseen some unbelievable projects. Where we're standing right now probably doesn't happen if he's not there. 'He's just brought so much to us as a club and someone that you know you can have a good laugh with. 'He comes down to the footy department area and always brings a bit of energy, so he'll be heavily missed.' However, Andrews was also excited about what Swann's replacement at the Lions, Sam Graham, would bring to the club's chief executive role. The younger brother of former Geelong star Ben Graham, Sam has been at the Lions for more than 18 months in the job of chief operating officer. Before that, his roles included AFL NSW/ACT chief executive, general manager of Tasmania's taskforce and industry engagement and a job in strategy in the AFL's executive team. 'I'm really excited for Sam and the opportunity that's come up,' Andrews said. 'He's a great guy. He's made a real impact since he has come to the footy club and someone that is a really familiar face. 'It's a very exciting time.' The second-placed Lions will chase their 10th win of the season on Friday night when they travel to Adelaide Oval to meet the Adelaide Crows. The Crows have also started the season strongly, sitting in third place with eight wins from 12 matches. 'It's a great challenge … something that I'm really looking forward to. We're coming up against a really quality opposition team on their home deck,' Andrews said. 'We as a team have done a really great job on the road this year and put some good performances out there. 'We'll get some good feedback about where we're at.'
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell wants his side to ‘throw our own punches'
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says his side must throw its own punches to counter the star-studded Brisbane Lions on Saturday. The fourth-placed Hawks – coming off a loss to Gold Coast in Darwin – face their biggest challenge of the season with the reigning premier at the MCG. The Lions, also coming off a loss, have built their strong start to the season through an extensive stock of stars. Mitchell is wary of the Lions' depth but says his side must 'create some problems for them' going the other way. 'Getting the ball into your front half against a side like Brisbane is vital, we know we need to work on the exact strategy and structure we have,' he said. 'They've got so many talented players, whether we go after one or two of them individually or whether we look at a collective system to try and create some clearance dominance. 'The challenge of the Brisbane midfield is not too dissimilar to that of the Gold Coast midfield, I think when you look at these teams at the top of the ladder, they've got stars on every line. 'We can't afford to over resource the midfield too much because it comes at the expense of something else. 'What we need to do is throw our own punches and make sure we're playing in an assertive and offensive way to create some problems for them.' The job Melbourne forward Jake Melksham did on Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews played a strong hand in the Demons' upset win last week. But Mitchell gave little away as to whether he will pose a similar task to veteran goalkicker Jack Gunston. 'I don't look at that too much specifically, I leave that with the line coaches to figure out exactly who and how to play (Andrews),' he said. 'Brisbane are clearly a potent side with a lot of dangerous players, if we focus too much on that we will go away from our own game, I don't think that helps us either. 'There's a little bit of meet fire with fire and there's a little bit of making sure we can put out a couple of things for them.'
