By Marc McGowan
The football community is mourning the sudden passing of inaugural Adelaide premiership player Heather Anderson.
Anderson, who was 28, became the first Northern Territory-based AFLW player drafted to the Crows as a top-10 pick in 2016.
The quietly spoken defender was famed for not only her work ethic but the pink helmet she wore to help her vision-impaired mother spot her on the field.
She grew up in Canberra and once ran from one ACT border to another to challenge herself, such was her dedication.
Anderson was on the national radar before the AFLW started, including two games for the Western Bulldogs in the women’s exhibition series against Melbourne.
But her professional football career ended at age 23 in late 2017, when she reluctantly retired from the top level after a second serious shoulder dislocation in the 2017 AFLW grand final.
That proved to be her eighth and final appearance at the highest level, given she also worked as an Australian Defence Force medic.
AFL head of women’s football Nicole Livingstone was saddened to hear of Anderson’s passing and offered her condolences to the family.
“Words cannot express the deep sadness amongst the AFL and AFLW community at this time. Our sincerest condolences are to the Anderson family,” Livingstone said.
“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to express my deepest compassion to Heather’s family, friends and colleagues.”
