Adelaide AFLW stars pay tribute to teammate Heather Anderson in emotion charged preliminary final

Adelaide’s shattered AFLW stars paid tribute to former premiership winner Heather Anderson in their preliminary final on Friday – but the stirring pre-game scenes didn’t stop Brisbane from marching into the grand final.

Anderson, 28, – who won a flag in 2017 with the Crows – tragically took her own life on November 13 at an army barracks in Perth.

The defender’s favourite colour was pink – and there was plenty on display at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, with Crows star Anne Hatchard sporting pink hair, while other players wore pink shoelaces and pink scrunchies.

Jesse Wardlaw continued her electric form for the Lions, booting three goals, with Courtney Hodder and and Dakota Davidson also kicking two majors each in the 23- point victory.

Brisbane star Kate Lutkins passed on her best wishes to Anderson’s loved ones post game.

Army medic Heather Anderson passed away after taking her own life, her father confirmed this week

‘I just want to send my condolences,’ she said.

‘Heather was a really great chick and a really good friend of mine…my heart goes out to the Adelaide club and all her friends and family.’

Anderson joined the army in 2013 as a medic and then became the first Northern Territory-based player drafted by the Crows as their 10th pick of the 2016 draft.

She wore her trademark pink headgear so her vision-impaired mother couldn’t miss her on the field.

Anderson was forced to retire at just 23 after suffering a second serious shoulder dislocation during the 2017 grand final.

The Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions observed a minute’s silence to remember Anderson

Heather Anderson will be forever treasured by her family and the Adelaide Crows following her tragic death

Private Anderson (pictured left) played one full season of footy – but devoted her time to Army service 

Her heartbroken family thanked the AFLW, Adelaide Crows, Defence and their Australian public for the outpouring of support.

‘We love and will miss Heather. We are grateful for the wonderful life she lived and the limits we constantly watched her push,’ a statement read.

‘We will always treasure the memories of her and her achievements.’ 

The Lions – who finished minor premiers ahead of Melbourne on percentages – will face either the Demons or North Melbourne in the grand final, to be staged at Brisbane’s newly built $80million training base at Springfield.

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.