Emotional moment Adelaide Crows players break down in tears as they pay tribute to teammate Heather Anderson ahead of finals clash with Brisbane Lions after the premiership-winning defender, 28, took her own life
- AFLW stars paid tribute to Heather Anderson ahead of a preliminary final
- Adelaide Crows premiership winner Anderson unexpectedly died aged 28
- Players from the Crows and the Brisbane Lions observed a minute’s silence
- If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline on 131 114
Adelaide stars broke down in tears as the Crows and Brisbane Lions paid a heartfelt tribute to Heather Anderson following the death of the AFLW premiership winner.
On Monday, the club confirmed the 28-year-old passed away and expressed condolences to her family and friends.
Affectionately known as ‘Heads’, the former Adelaide Crow and Bulldogs representative was one of the fittest female players to ever play the game, and an immensely popular teammate, opponent and friend.
Her father confirmed this week that the long-time Army medic took her own life.
Though Anderson played just one AFLW season – albeit a hugely successful one – due to a horrific run of injuries, the Crows premiership defender touched the lives of everyone she came in contact with during an inspiring footy career.
And before Friday night’s preliminary final against Brisbane Lions, the Crows and their opponents came together to pay tribute to the 28-year-old at Metricon Stadium.
Adelaide Crows paid a heartbreaking tribute to Heather Anderson following her death
Army medic Anderson passed away this week after taking her own life, her father confirmed
Anderson (left) played one full season of footy but devoted her time to Army service
The Crows players and Lions stars stood facing each other, arm-in-arm during a minute’s silence on the Gold Coast. A number of Adelaide players were visibly emotional as a picture of a smiling Anderson was displayed on the big screen.
Anderson’s death has seen an outpouring of tributes across Australia for the popular former defender, and her father, Brian, said he was ‘in awe’.
‘The response to the news of Heather taking her own life have shown us that she had friends, teammates, and fellow soldiers all across the country,’ he told the Adelaide Advertiser.
‘Heather had a passion for the Army, football and learning and the Army gave her incredible opportunities; opportunities she found and pursued with incredible focus.
‘(The) Army gave her the space to pursue AFLW and a career in equal measure. Army gave her the best medical and rehabilitation support we could imagine after the second shoulder dislocation in the inaugural AFLW grand final.
The Crows and the Lions observed a minute’s silence prior to their preliminary final match
‘With that support Heather was able to recover and then gain an elite level of fitness so as to then work supporting some of the elite units in the Army, and gain qualifications we could only dream of.
‘And yet she found time to complete her degree in Paramedicine and undertake a degree in Psychology. We treasure the memories of her and her achievements, and are in awe of the outpouring of support from across Australia.’
For help in a crisis call 000. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
For veteran support contact: Defence All-hours Support Line: 1800 628 036 or Defence Member and Family Helpline staffed by social workers and psychologists: 1800 624 608.
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