ANDREWS, Ron

Ronnie Andrews was a star centre half-back who arrived at Essendon from Redan where he had won the best and fairest award in 1972. He was a big, strong, rugged defender who was a fine mark and good kick. He had a reputation for aggression, although this was somewhat tempered as he got older. His tear-through play had opponents quivering and he made up for a lack of pace with sheer endeavour. He was the last of the really tough men in League football and missed a total of 24 games through suspension.

In his first season at Essendon, he played seven games in the Under 19s, seven in the Reserves and seven in the Seniors.

In 1974, he was a key figure in the sensational game against Richmond at Windy Hill when players and officials staged an all in brawl at half time. He was suspended for 6 weeks after being found guilty of delivering a 'king hit'.

Surprisingly for such a tough man image, Andrews polled 63 Brownlow Medal votes. He was Essendon second top vote scorer in 1975, 1976,1978 (equal) and 1982. He was also third top in 1977 and 1981.

"Rugged Ronnie" was vice-captain in 1977, 1978 and 1981, and he then captained Essendon in 1982 when Neale Daniher missed the season through injury. He was also runner-up in Essendon's Best and Fairest award in 1976. The Annual Report that year commented "it is obvious that could Ron control his enthusiasm, he would have outstanding success".

He represented Victoria in 1977 and 1978.

Andrews was suspended for a week after being found guilty of using threatening language towards field umpire Smith in the 1983 semi-final against Fitzroy and missed the preliminary final win over North Melbourne. He was controversially omitted from the Grand Final team which subsequently lost to Hawthorn.

He fell out with coach Kevin Sheedy after his omission from the Grand Final team and was cleared to Collingwood.

He played played six games and kicked eight goals for Collingwood, including three of the five goals they kicked in their 133 point loss to Essendon in the 1984 preliminary final.

Andrews left Collingwood at the end of 1984 and joined West Adelaide in the SANFL where he was their leading goalkicker in 1985.

He then spent four years at Wentworth Districts, including two as captain-coach. He next went to Balranald in 1990 and finally won that elusive premiership.He returned to Wentworth Districts for a final season in 1991 where he had the unusual distinction of playing six games with his 15-year-old son.