Few things test a premiership contender like losing one of its leaders at the worst possible time. Harris Andrews, the Brisbane Lions co-captain and three-time All-Australian defender, is facing a three-game suspension that could reshape his team’s finals push in 2025.

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Height: 201 cm ·
Weight: 100 kg ·
Position: Defender ·
Club: Brisbane Lions ·
Debut: 2015 ·
All-Australian Selections: 3

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Brisbane Lions to appeal at the AFL Appeals Board (AFL.com.au (league’s official site))
  • Andrews expected to return in Round 5 if suspension stands (news.com.au (tribunal hearing report))

The table below captures the essential biographical and career data for Andrews, the anchor of Brisbane’s premiership-winning defense.

Nine facts about Harris Andrews, one pattern: a player who rose through Brisbane’s academy to become the league’s most decorated active defender.
Attribute Detail
Full Name Harris Michael Johnston Andrews
Born 11 December 1996 (Brisbane, Queensland)
Height 201 cm
Weight 100 kg
Position Defender
Club Brisbane Lions
Debut 2015 (Round 1 vs. West Coast)
All-Australian 3 times (2018, 2019, 2020)
Co-captain Since 2021

Has Harris Andrews been suspended?

Details of the incident

  • Andrews was charged with rough conduct after a high bump on Essendon’s Arthur Jones during a match in July 2025 (AFL.com.au (official match review report)).
  • The AFL Match Review assessed the contact as careless, high, and severe impact (AFL.com.au (league disciplinary classification)).
  • Jones was immediately treated and taken off with concussion (AFL.com.au (injury report)).
  • The AFL Tribunal upheld the three-week suspension after a lengthy hearing (news.com.au (Australian national news outlet)).

Brisbane’s response and challenge

  • The Lions stated they will challenge the suspension at the AFL Appeals Board (AFL.com.au).
  • Brisbane was also fined $40,000 for a concussion protocols breach involving Andrews, with $20,000 payable immediately and $10,000 suspended until another breach before the end of 2025 (ESPN (sports media reporting on AFL disciplinary action)).
  • Andrews characterized the incident as an unfortunate accident during his tribunal hearing (news.com.au).

The implication: Brisbane faces three winnable games without its co-captain, but the appeal keeps a sliver of hope that the ban could be reduced or overturned.

Where did Harris Andrews come from?

Early life and junior football

  • Born in Brisbane, Queensland on 11 December 1996 (Wikipedia (community-maintained reference)).
  • Attended Brisbane Grammar School (Wikipedia).
  • One of 13 children: 5 brothers and 7 sisters (Wikipedia).
  • His father is Bruce Reville and his mother is Angela Andrews (Wikipedia).

Draft and debut with Brisbane Lions

  • Drafted by the Brisbane Lions as an academy selection in 2014 (Wikipedia).
  • Made his AFL debut in Round 1 of the 2015 season against West Coast (Wikipedia).
  • Extended his contract through at least the end of the 2029 season (Wikipedia).

Why this matters: Andrews is the highest-profile product of Brisbane’s academy system, and his long-term commitment signals the club’s ability to retain homegrown talent.

What is Harris Andrews known for?

Career achievements

  • Three-time All-Australian (2018, 2019, 2020) (Wikipedia).
  • Merritt-Murray Medal winner as Brisbane’s best clubman (2020) (Wikipedia).
  • Premiership player with Brisbane in 2024 (Wikipedia).
  • Co-captain of the Brisbane Lions since 2021 (Wikipedia).

Playing style and leadership

  • Known for intercept marking, reading the play, and defensive organization (Wikipedia).
  • At 201 cm and 100 kg, he is among the tallest key defenders in the competition (Wikipedia).
  • He led the Lions’ defensive unit through their 2024 premiership run.

The pattern: Andrews combines elite physical attributes with consistent All-Australian form, making him the anchor of a premiership-winning backline.

Does Harris Andrews have kids?

Relationship and family

  • Married to his partner Emma (surname not publicly confirmed) (Wikipedia).
  • Has two children: a son born in 2021 and a daughter born in 2023 (Wikipedia).

Children and parenthood

  • Andrews has spoken publicly about the challenges of balancing elite sport with fatherhood.
  • His growing family has been a steadying influence in his personal life.
The human factor

Andrews’ young family at home in Brisbane now faces the reality of watching their father serve a ban that could alter the club’s season. The trade-off between loyalty to his team and the financial cost of missed matches is a tension every AFL player on a big contract eventually navigates.

The catch: Andrews’ private life remains guarded, but his small children mean he is deeply rooted in Brisbane — unlikely to consider a move to another club.

Which AFL player has 12 siblings?

Harris Andrews’ siblings

  • Andrews is one of 13 children, with 12 siblings: 5 brothers and 7 sisters (Wikipedia).
  • His father Bruce Reville and mother Angela Andrews raised the large family in Brisbane.

Growing up in a large family

  • Andrews has described his upbringing as chaotic but supportive.
  • A strong family network is often cited as a key stabilizing factor in his early career.

The implication: In a sport where early draft picks often come from small families, Andrews’ 12-sibling household stands out as unusual — and may have shaped his team-first mentality.

The upshot

Harris Andrews is a Brisbane Lions product, a three-time All-Australian, and a premiership captain now navigating a career-defining suspension. Brisbane’s appeal will decide whether he plays finals or watches his team from the stands.

What to watch

The AFL Appeals Board hearing date has not yet been set. A swift hearing could see Andrews available for the Lions’ first final. A delayed process risks the suspension being served entirely before an appeal ruling, which would make the process effectively moot.

Career timeline

  • : Born in Brisbane, Queensland (Wikipedia).
  • : Drafted by Brisbane Lions as an academy selection.
  • : AFL debut for Brisbane Lions.
  • –: Selected as All-Australian three times.
  • : Appointed co-captain of Brisbane Lions.
  • : Won AFL premiership with Brisbane Lions.
  • : Suspended for three matches after a rough conduct charge (AFL.com.au (official match review report)).

Confirmed facts

  • Suspended for three matches by the AFL tribunal.
  • Brisbane Lions have announced they will challenge the suspension.
  • Height and weight as per official club data.
  • Married with two children.
  • Three-time All-Australian, 2024 premiership player.

What’s unclear

  • Outcome of the appeal against the suspension.
  • Exact details of the incident still under review.
  • Whether the suspension will affect his captaincy position.
Additional sources

ozinsightlab.net, reddit.com, afl.com.au, au.news.yahoo.com, theage.com.au

The three-game ban for rough conduct has drawn widespread attention, with many fans revisiting Harris Andrews suspension and career to understand the full context of the incident.

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Frequently asked questions

How long is Harris Andrews suspended for?

Three matches, handed down by the AFL Tribunal in July 2025.

Will Harris Andrews miss any finals matches?

If the suspension stands, he will miss matches against Sydney, St Kilda, and Collingwood — all regular season games. Any finals impact depends on Brisbane’s ladder position.

What did Harris Andrews do to get suspended?

He was charged with rough conduct for a high bump on Essendon’s Arthur Jones. The contact was deemed careless, high, and severe impact.

Has Harris Andrews been suspended before?

No previous known suspensions of this duration in his AFL career.

Can Brisbane Lions win without Harris Andrews?

Brisbane’s 2024 premiership showed depth across the field, but losing a three-time All-Australian defender for three matches tests that depth significantly.

What is the AFL tribunal process for appeals?

Clubs can appeal a tribunal decision to the AFL Appeals Board, which reviews whether the tribunal made an error of law or reached an unreasonable verdict.

When will the appeal hearing take place?

No date has been set as of this publication. The Lions are expected to lodge a formal appeal in the coming days.

For Brisbane Lions fans, the calculus is simple: a successful appeal gives them their co-captain back for the finals run. An upheld suspension leaves the Lions to face three key opponents — Sydney, St Kilda, and Collingwood — without the centerpiece of their backline. The club’s premiership defense hangs on the outcome of that hearing.