For a player who spends his working week keeping the AFL’s most dangerous forwards quiet, Harris Andrews has always had a softer side off the field — the Brisbane Lions co-captain is a three-time All-Australian, two-time premiership player, and before all that, he was studying to be a teacher. But in March 2026, his season took an unexpected turn when he was handed a three-match suspension by the AFL Tribunal.
Height: 200 cm ·
Position: Key defender ·
All-Australian selections: 3 ·
Premierships: 2 ·
AFL debut: 2015 ·
Co-captain: Brisbane Lions
Quick snapshot
- Three-match suspension upheld by AFL Tribunal (news.com.au (Australian news outlet))
- Co-captain of Brisbane Lions since 2021 (Brisbane Lions (official club website))
- Three-time All-Australian, two-time premiership player (Brisbane Lions (official club website))
- Exact reason behind nickname “Dad” remains unconfirmed
- Details of his teaching career after turning professional are not publicly detailed
- Exact date of his marriage is not publicly known
- Specifics of his teaching qualification have not been disclosed
- March 2026: Tribunal upholds three-match ban (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- Incident occurred during Lions vs. Western Bulldogs game (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- Brisbane will play without Andrews for matches against Sydney, St Kilda and Collingwood (AFL (governing body of Australian football))
- Club may adjust defensive structure in his absence (AFL (governing body of Australian football))
Eight key facts about Harris Andrews at a glance:
| Full Name | Harris Michael Johnston Andrews |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 December 1996 |
| Height | 200 cm |
| Position | Key defender |
| Club | Brisbane Lions |
| Captain | Co-captain |
| All-Australian | 3 times |
| Premierships | 2 |
Has Harris Andrews been suspended?
What did Harris Andrews do to get suspended?
In March 2026, during a match between the Brisbane Lions and the Western Bulldogs, Andrews made high contact with Bulldogs forward Arthur Jones. The AFL (governing body of Australian football) Match Review Officer assessed the incident as careless conduct, high contact and severe impact. Jones was left motionless and suffered a concussion with bruising below the eye, according to ABC News (Australian public broadcaster).
Andrews gave evidence at the AFL Tribunal, describing the collision as a “very unfortunate accident” and explaining he was attempting to shepherd for teammate Dayne Zorko. The Tribunal upheld the three-match suspension, meaning Brisbane would have to plan without Andrews for games against Sydney, St Kilda and Collingwood (as reported by the AFL).
Andrews’ suspension marks the first time the co-captain has been sidelined by tribunal action in his career, raising questions about how the Lions’ defensive system copes without their most experienced key defender.
TL;DR: Harris Andrews’ first ever tribunal suspension forces the Brisbane Lions to reshuffle their defence for three critical matches. The clean disciplinary record offers no shield when the AFL deems an incident severe.
How many times can an AFL player be suspended?
The AFL Tribunal operates under a structured system of offence classification and penalties. Repeat offenders face escalating sanctions, but Andrews had no prior suspension record. The AFL confirmed that the three-match ban was consistent with the grading of careless high contact causing severe impact. The implication: even a clean record doesn’t protect a player when the outcome is deemed serious.
What is Harris Andrews background?
Is Harris Andrews a teacher?
Harris Andrews was born on 11 December 1996 in Fitzroy, Melbourne, and attended school in Aspley. He was drafted by the Brisbane Lions and made his AFL debut in 2015. What sets him apart from many elite athletes is his academic path: he studied teaching at university and worked as a teacher before committing fully to football. AFL (Australia’s top football league) reported in 2024 that Andrews had graduated from high school a decade earlier, and his teaching background has been a recurring theme in his media profile.
While he now devotes all his time to the Lions, his interest in education remains a part of his identity. The pattern: Andrews balances a physical, high-pressure role with the intellectual discipline of a classroom teacher.
What is Harris Andrews known for?
AFL achievements
- Three-time All-Australian (2019, 2022, 2024) — Brisbane Lions (official club website)
- Two-time AFL premiership player (2023, 2024) — Brisbane Lions (official club website)
- Merritt-Murray Medal winner (2021) — Brisbane Lions (official club website)
Captaincy
Andrews was appointed co-captain of the Brisbane Lions in 2021, sharing the role with Lachie Neale. In February 2026, the club expanded the leadership group to three, naming Andrews, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage as co-captains (Brisbane Lions (official club announcement)). The Age reported in February 2026 that teammate Charlie Cameron backed Andrews to be the club’s sole captain (The Age (Melbourne-based newspaper)).
Andrews’ leadership role makes his suspension particularly consequential: the Lions’ defensive structure and morale depend on his presence on and off the field.
TL;DR: The suspension of co-captain Harris Andrews strips the Lions of a key on-field organiser and leaves a leadership void that the club must fill swiftly against three strong opponents.
Does Harris Andrews have a nickname?
Why is he called ‘Dad’?
Andrews is widely known by the nickname “Dad” among teammates and fans. The AFL (Australia’s top football league) noted that he was already called “Dad” as a 20-year-old, which is unusual for such a young player. The exact origin is not officially confirmed, but it is believed to stem from his mature, responsible demeanor and his habit of looking after younger teammates. The trade-off: a nickname that signals respect also carries a hint of gentle teasing about his old-soul personality.
How many times can an AFL player be suspended?
AFL tribunal process
The AFL Tribunal classes offences by impact (low, medium, high, severe) and conduct (careless, intentional). Suspensions are determined by the number of demerit points accumulated. For a first offence graded as severe impact and careless conduct, a three-match ban is within the standard range, as seen in Andrews’ case (as explained by the AFL).
Consequences of multiple suspensions
Repeat offenders face higher penalties. The AFL’s system is designed to deter dangerous play, and players with prior records can expect suspensions to double or more. Andrews’ clean record meant he received the base penalty for his offence. The editorial verdict: the system rewards discipline, but one serious lapse can still cost a team its leader for three crucial weeks.
Timeline of Harris Andrews’ career
- 1996: Born in Fitzroy, Melbourne (Brisbane Lions official club website)
- 2015: AFL debut for Brisbane Lions (Brisbane Lions official club website)
- 2021: Appointed co-captain of Brisbane Lions (Brisbane Lions official club website)
- 2023: Won first AFL premiership (Brisbane Lions official club website)
- 2024: Earned third All-Australian selection (Brisbane Lions official club website)
- 2025: Co-captaincy confirmed for season
- 2026: Handed three-match suspension
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Harris Andrews received a three-match suspension in March 2026 (news.com.au (Australian news outlet))
- He is co-captain of Brisbane Lions (Brisbane Lions official club website)
- He has won three All-Australian blazers (Brisbane Lions official club website)
- He has two premierships (Brisbane Lions official club website)
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for nickname “Dad”
- Details of his teaching career after turning professional
- Exact date of his marriage
- Specifics of his teaching qualification
“It was a very unfortunate accident.”
— Harris Andrews, giving evidence at the AFL Tribunal, via ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)
Andrews explained during the tribunal hearing that he was attempting to shepherd for teammate Dayne Zorko when the contact occurred (as reported by ABC News).
“I was trying to shepherd for Dayne Zorko when the contact occurred.”
— Harris Andrews, explaining his actions, via ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)
Andrews’ suspension leaves the Lions without their key defender for three matches. For Brisbane, the challenge is clear: adapt their defensive system against Sydney, St Kilda and Collingwood, or risk losing ground in the premiership race. For Andrews, the path forward is equally plain: return with a clean sheet and reaffirm the leadership that made him a two-time premiership co-captain.
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Frequently asked questions
How old is Harris Andrews?
He was born on 11 December 1996, making him 29 years old as of 2026.
What is Harris Andrews’ net worth?
His exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, but as a co-captain and two-time premiership player, he is among the higher-paid players at the Brisbane Lions.
What is Harris Andrews’ jersey number?
He wears the number 31 for the Brisbane Lions.
Is Harris Andrews married?
Yes, he is married to his long-term partner, with whom he shares a family.
How many games has Harris Andrews played?
As of the end of the 2025 season, he has played over 200 AFL games for the Brisbane Lions.
What is Harris Andrews’ salary?
His salary is not publicly disclosed, but he signed a four-year extension in 2024 that keeps him at the Lions until the end of 2029.
Does Harris Andrews have any siblings?
He has a brother, though his name is not widely reported in media profiles.
What is Harris Andrews’ height in feet?
He is 200 cm tall, which is approximately 6 feet 7 inches.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.