BRISBANE, 10 March 2026 – Brisbane Lions co-captain Harris Andrews is at the centre of a major AFL tribunal drama, with the club challenging a three-match suspension for striking, even as he steps into a formalised leadership role for the 2026 season.
Lions to Fight Suspension at Tribunal
The Brisbane Lions have confirmed they will challenge the three-match ban handed to key defender Harris Andrews by the Match Review Officer. The suspension stems from an incident during Opening Round where Andrews’ elbow made contact with Western Bulldogs’ Arty Jones, resulting in a concussion for Jones. The club is also seeking to overturn a separate suspension for teammate Darcy Gardiner.
Public reaction on forums has been mixed, with some supporters arguing the contact was accidental and a product of “dumb luck,” while others acknowledge the likely suspension given the outcome. The tribunal hearing is set for today, 10 March 2026, with the result crucial for the Lions’ defensive structure in the early rounds.
New Era of Leadership
Amidst the suspension drama, the club has ushered in a new leadership group. In an announcement made last week, premiership stars Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage, and Josh Dunkley were appointed as Co-Captains for the 2026 AFL season. This formalises Andrews’ long-standing leadership role within the squad, having served as a co-captain previously.
Player Profile: Harris Andrews
Harris Michael Johnston Andrews (born 11 December 1996) is an Australian rules footballer who plays as a key defender and serves as co-captain for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL). A product of the Lions Academy, Andrews has developed into one of the league’s most formidable and reliable key position players.
Standing at 201cm and weighing 100kg, Andrews is renowned as one of the competition’s premier intercept marks and spoilers. His career, which began in 2015, has been decorated with multiple All-Australian blazers, a Merrett-Murray Medal as the Lions’ best and fairest, and the ultimate success as a premiership player.
Career Statistics
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 December 1996 |
| Age (as of 10 Mar 2026) | 29 years, 3 months |
| Height | 201 cm |
| Weight | 100 kg |
| AFL Debut | 2015 (Aged 18) |
| Guernsey Number | 31 |
| Position | Key Defender |
| Club | Brisbane Lions |
| Contract Status | Contracted until end of 2029 (Unrestricted Free Agent) |
| Honours | Premiership player, 3x All-Australian, Merrett-Murray Medalist, Co-Captain |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Harris Andrews’ contract status?
Harris Andrews is contracted to the Brisbane Lions until the end of the 2029 season, at which point he will be eligible as an Unrestricted Free Agent.
Why is Harris Andrews considered one of the best defenders?
Andrews is consistently rated among the league’s best key defenders due to his elite intercept marking, game-reading ability, spoiling technique, and leadership. His record of 23 spoils in a single game against Sydney is an AFL benchmark.
What is the latest news regarding his suspension?
As of 10 March 2026, the Brisbane Lions are challenging the three-match suspension for striking Western Bulldogs player Arty Jones at the AFL Tribunal. The outcome of the hearing is expected imminently.
When was Harris Andrews named co-captain?
Andrews was officially appointed as a co-captain of the Brisbane Lions alongside Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley for the 2026 season, with the announcement made in the first week of March 2026.