Former Adelaide Crows AFLW player Heather Anderson dies suddenly

The Adelaide Crows are deeply saddened by the shock passing of foundation player Heather Anderson at the age of 28.

Former Adelaide Crows player Heather Anderson with her trademark pink helmet.

Adelaide Crows AFLW premiership winner Heather Anderson has died at just 28 years of age.

The Crows and AFL announced that Anderson, the first Northern Territory-based player to be drafted by Adelaide in 2016 had unexpectedly passed.

Anderson, an army medic, played eight games for the Crows in the 2017 season as a courageous defender including the AFLW grand final win.

The Crows said they were “deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Premiership player Heather Anderson. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends”.

Adelaide players will wear black armbands in honour of Anderson when the Crows take on Brisbane in their preliminary final clash at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.

In a statement AFL head of women’s football Nicole Livingstone said she was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the former Crow.

Heather Anderson (right) in action for the Crows. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

“Words cannot express the deep sadness amongst the AFL and AFLW community at this time. Our sincerest condolences are to the Anderson family,” Ms Livingstone said.

“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to express my deepest compassion to Heather’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Former Adelaide star Erin Phillips posted on Instagram that Anderson was “the ultimate team mate with a huge heart and biggest smile”.

Deni Varnhagen commented that Anderson had “one of the biggest hearts”.

Former Crows forward Sarah Perkins posted a photo of Anderson on her Instagram story, captioned “family forever” along with three love hearts in the Crows colours.

She also described Anderson as the “ultimate teammate & supporter post her playing days”.

Heather Anderson with her premiership medallion after the 2017 grand final. Picture: Tom Huntley

AFL Players’ Association chief Paul Marsh said it would offer whatever support Anderson’s former teammates required.

“All at the AFLPA extend our deepest sympathies to Heather’s family, friends and all of those people who worked and played alongside her at Adelaide,” he said.

“This is a terribly sad time and we will offer whatever services and support Heather’s family, former teammates and the Adelaide Football Club may need during this tough time.”

Despite playing in every match in her debut year Anderson’s Crows career only lasted the one season.

In the grand final win over Brisbane she dislocated her right shoulder, which meant she had to go in for surgery on it for the second time within a year.

She was not retained by the Crows for the 2018 season because of it and after she went undrafted Anderson announced her indefinite retirement from the AFL.