Popular local footballer, policeman Rowan Andrews remembered following his death

A former Adelaide Crow who starred in local footy across Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT while serving as a policeman is being remembered following his sudden death.

Rowan Andrews has been remembered as a popular clubman.

A popular local footballer and police officer has been remembered as a “rock” who brought people together after his sudden death.

Family, friends and sporting clubs have shared their memories of Rowan “Rooster” Andrews, 33, after he died last week.

His former coach, Chris Rourke, held him in very high regard.

“If I had sons and one of them came out like him I would have thought I’d won tattslotto,” he said.

Andrews’ footballing career took him right across Australia, drafted out of Tasmania in 2003 to the Adelaide Crows where he spent two years on the rookie list but did not earn a senior call up.

After departing the elite level, he returned home to Tasmania and played for Kingborough in the Tasmanian State League and VFL footy for his home state.

He then made the move to Canberra where he played in the NEAFL and became one of the most dominant players in the competition. Most recently he had been playing with local footy clubs in country Victoria and in suburban Melbourne.

Rourke who was the senior coach at Ainslie when Andrews arrived in 2009 shared his own memories of the star ruckman.

Rowan Andrews.

Rowan Andrews in action for Glenelg. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Described as “uncompromising” in his training habits, Andrews played in back-to-back premierships in 2010 and 2011.

“He was just a natural leader, he was a bloke in the trenches with you, he was not a loud mouth, he was just a great bloke,” Rourke said.

“I can rely on him and he relied on me and we stayed in close contact after he left the club.

“He was just a man’s man who was loved by everyone. There’s not too many you can rely on in footy but he was the ultimate competitor.

“He would be the last person you would ever think would leave us. He was a rock for his family, a rock for the footy club, he was Mr Dependable.

“I’ve had a thousand calls from all over Australia I reckon.”

Avoca president Sandie Ward said Andrews had been a popular member of the club community during his time with the Bulldogs, winning the best-and-fairest in 2018.

In a social media post the club said he was “highly thought of by all of his teammates and club members”.

“It was a bit of a shock to the system because coming into the new presidency and having one of our former members pass away was a bit of a shock to the system,” Ward said.

“I didn’t know him personally at all. The club that is around me all talk stories about him and he was an amazing bloke.”

During the 2023 season, Andrews played for the Yarraville Seddon Eagles in the Club 18s competition in the Riddell District Football League.

Described as a “dear friend” and “pillar” of the team, he played a key role in the team reaching the grand final.

“Rowan Andrews “Rooster” was a gentle giant and the ultimate teammate, Rowan will be sorely missed by all, and our full support goes out to his family and friends,” a social media post said.

Macedon posted its own tribute to Andrews.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing today of Rowan Andrews. Rooster was with the club during 2020 (and) 2021. Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends (and) colleagues,” the club said.

Williamstown Superules, where Andrews played in a grand final in 2022, also posted their own memories.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing yesterday of Rowan Andrews. Rooster was with the club during our grand final making season in 2022. Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends (and) colleagues,” the club said.