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.
Andrews, 18, played 19 AFL games in an impressive debut season, earning a well-deserved NAB Rising Star nomination along the way.
The poise, courage and skill displayed by the Lions Academy graduate as a tall defender belied his tender years and wirey 200cm and 92kg frame.
Brisbane’s second to fourth-year players return to pre-season training on Monday and former Aspley Hornets junior Andrews is like a child on December 24.
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 told The Courier-Mail.
“There’s always a fair bit of chat about the second-year stuff.
“(But) the games are so far away. All you can do is have a really solid pre-season to put yourself in a good spot.’’
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.
“Rodge (veteran defender Daniel Merrett) going down hurt at the start of the year opened up a spot in the backline and I was lucky enough to make the most of it.’’
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.
Brisbane’s more experienced players return for pre-season training on November 23.
