Nightmare AFL return for Lion Andrews

Brisbane Lions defender Harris Andrews hasn't had it easy in his AFL comeback from a severe concussion.

Harris Andrews

Brisbane Lion Harris Andrews hasn't had it easy in his AFL return after suffering concussion. (AAP)

From having his lights knocked out to lining up on the two players leading the race for the Coleman Medal.

Harris Andrews hasn't exactly had an easy re-integration to the AFL ranks, but the Brisbane Lions vice-captain wouldn't have it any other way.

The 21-year-old defender made his return from a four-week concussion layoff in Saturday's defeat to Geelong.

He was promptly towelled up by Tom Hawkins, who booted seven goals for the second straight week.

"He's probably the form forward of the comp at the moment, Tomahawk," Andrews told reporters on Tuesday.

"It was a pretty tough assignment first up.

"He got on a bit of a run there early in the third where he took a few marks in a row and (Luke Hodge) pulled me aside and told me to settle down a bit because I was losing my mind a bit.

"He gave me a couple of different strategies to combat Tomahawk."

Hawkins' haul took him to 48 goals for the season - second only to North Melbourne's Ben Brown, who currently leads the charts on 53.

Brown is Andrews' next assignment, with the Kangaroos to visit the Gabba this weekend as they aim to back-up their big upset win over West Coast and propel themselves into the finals reckoning.

"I love coming up against the best players week in and week out," Andrews said.

"Some weeks the forwards are going to get a hold of you and some weeks the defender plays well.

"That's part of the game and that's why I love it."

Andrews felt he would be much better for his first run since copping an elbow to the face from star GWS forward Jeremy Cameron, which left him with a small bleed on his brain.

"I was probably a bit gassed early on on the weekend and was able to settle into the game," he said.

"A month out of the game, although it doesn't seem like a long time, it can be.

"It takes a little bit to pick up the speed of the game and I reckon about halfway through the second half I started to pick it up again."

The Lions have slumped to consecutive losses to Adelaide and Geelong following their previous run of three victories in a row.


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Source: AAP


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