Australian Football

Andy Lovell commenced his senior football career with Glenorchy and was a member of that club’s 1986 TFL premiership-winning combination. He crossed to Melbourne in 1987, but only played a couple of games in the reserves that year. The following season saw him make his senior VFL debut, and he went on to enjoy an excellent campaign, albeit that it ended in abject disappointment as the Demons were thrashed by Hawthorn in the grand final by what at the time was a record 96 point margin.

Whilst not boasting skills of the first order Lovell was hard working and determined, and developed into a key cog in the Demons’ midfield. All told he played 121 V/AFL games and registered 146 goals for the club, with highlights including running second in the 1992 best and fairest count, and helping himself to eight goals in a 121 point trouncing of Richmond the following year. In 1994 and 1995 he continued to perform with credit and it was therefore something of a surprise when the Dees opted to trade him for West Coast’s Craig Turley ahead of the 1996 season.

Andy Lovell spent three seasons with the Eagles, adding 43 games and 20 goals to his respective career tallies. He was particularly impressive in his debut season, but after that missed numerous games through injury.

Since retiring as a player Lovell has maintained his involvement in the game with a series of off-field coaching roles, including, most recently, serving as an assistant coach with Gold Coast.

Author - John Devaney