The ‘cheeky’ two-metre wall standing in the way of AFL’s most lethal attack

There is a “cheeky” side to Harris Andrews the public rarely see, a personality unlikely to be on show when he takes on his greatest challenge of the season: thwarting the AFL’s most lethal attack.

The three-time All Australian’s knowledge of when to flick the switch is his key to thriving again in the grand final furnace, teammate Darcy Gardiner believes.

“He’s very impressive, very professional, very meticulous about how he does things. He gives you such confidence out there when you’re in a bit of trouble, you know he’s usually going to be coming across to help,” Gardiner says.

“[But] there’s definitely that other side of him when we let the hair down and have a few beers. He can be quite funny and cheeky and a bit of a larrikin.

“He had a great time at my wedding, I won’t go into detail.”

Come Saturday afternoon’s grand final, the Lions co-captain will face a Geelong outfit that has scored more points than any other in 2025.

Spearheaded by Coleman Medal winner Jeremy Cameron, the Cats have been destructive against rival backlines.

But Andrews is a different animal.

For one, he will be seeking retribution for the club’s humbling against the same foe three weeks ago.

For another, the 28-year-old fullback is coming off a defensive masterclass against Collingwood en route to a third-straight decider.

The Magpies’ early pressure game kept the Sherrin pinned deep inside Brisbane territory for the opening five minutes. Yet despite 13 first quarter inside 50s, Collingwood had only seven points to show for it.

Collingwood rallied emphatically to hit the front by the major break, but once the Lions began to dominate the clearance battle, their attack lost potency.

When they did probe forward, Andrews was a constant presence.

His 13 marks included five intercepts, before finding halfbacks Dayne Zorko, Jaspa Fletcher and Darcy Wilmot to facilitate service down field.

“He’s been massive for us, especially in the finals he’s really hitting his straps, and it’s good to see him in the blazer again this year,” Fletcher told this masthead, referring to Andrews’ third All Australian selection.

“It makes it a lot easier to get on the offence knowing you’ve got such a great intercept marker and such a big body down the line. Any time he goes near it, he’s going to either spoil it or hang onto it.

“He’s been huge for us and for me in helping me build my game as a defender. I haven’t played too much footy as a defender, so to have that help positioning-wise has been huge for me.”

The Andrews-Cameron clash will be pivotal at the MCG, with the pair sharing history dating back to 2018.

Geelong’s goal-scoring wizard was playing for the Giants at the time, and copped a five-game suspension for a striking incident when he lashed out with his elbow and left Brisbane’s key defender with a small brain bleed.

Andrews, 21 at the time, was left with blood gushing from his mouth, and while he missed a month of football, later stressed he harboured no grudge towards Cameron.

No man has claimed more marks inside 50 than Cameron in 2025 (79).

Yet, Andrews’ read of the contest has made him one of the most prolific intercept markers in the game – his 194 trailing only Adelaide duo Mark Keane (195) and Josh Worrell (201).

When the Lions were thwarted by the Cats three weeks ago, Ryan Lester was initially tasked with pinning Cameron down, before Gardiner was moved onto him after Geelong blew out to a healthy lead.

The following week, Gardiner was given an early lesson by Suns giant Ben King, before Andrews was relocated to stifle the Gold Coast sensation.

Gardiner was adamant they would be prepared to shift gears if needed.

“It’s tricky, there’s always a bit of luck involved as well with when and how the ball’s coming in.

“We were under the pump a fair bit and I don’t think anyone was really stopping that rampage in the first 15 or 20 minutes,” Gardiner says.

“It’s not as huge of a shock when you’re out there and things do get changed around. There’s no ego, you just have to cop it on the chin – we actually have a laugh about it on the field.

“We’re not out there too interested in how we go individually … if whatever we’ve got to move around gets the result that’s all we’re after.”

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