Padua College students show support for favourite son Harris Andrews

It will be on for young and old at the Gabba on Saturday as Padua College students turn out in force to support favourite son Harris Andrews and the Brisbane Lions’ finals charge.

AMID the sea of maroon, blue and gold in the bumper Gabba crowd for tomorrow’s top of the table clash with Geelong will be a noisy contingent in the brown blazers of Padua College cheering on old boy Harris Andrews.

The Gabba has sold out for the second time this season after a final release of 800 tickets were snapped up within an hour on Thursday.

The Lions’ other sellout was the Easter Thursday blockbuster against Collingwood.

Brisbane Lions star Harris Andrews with students from Padua College at The Gabba ahead of the clash with Geelong.

The Association of Independent Colleges introduced an official AFL competition this season, and Andrews said he would love the opportunity to return to Padua College and help inspire more kids to take up the game.

“When I went through there was only a three week AFL tournament,’’ he said.

“I’ve been back a couple of times presenting awards and things like that but now the AFL is a recognised sport there I’d love to go back next year and maybe help out at training or something.’’

Harris Andrews playing for Queensland under-18s against NSW/ACT in 2014.

The turnout of Gabba and BCC members this weekend will determine if the crowd eclipses the 34, 017 that watched the Pies’ defeat the Lions in round 5.

CEO Greg Swann said confirmed yesterday there were no more tickets available.

“This is a great testament to the way we are playing and our club has been rewarded with crowds flocking back to the Gabba,’’ he said.

“We can’t wait for the noise our fans will bring.”

Originally published as Padua College students show support for favourite son Harris Andrews