After beginning his football with local club Reynella, Andrew quickly established himself at South Adelaide in a very competitive U17 team by winning the trophy for the Most Consistent Player in 1988.
The self-discipline, dedication and perseverance which he showed to overcome these difficulties and to reach the pinnacle of the SANFL competition were qualities that had long been recognised as an integral part of his game.
Andrew was a great team-man, and his appointment as South Adelaide captain from 1998–2000 recognised his skills as a leader and the respect in which he was held by his fellow team-mates and the club as a whole.
In 1998, the award of the Magarey Medal, and his selection in the state side, were clear indications that this same respect was afforded him by the wider South Australian community.
William Magarey wanted his medal to reward players who were not only brilliant and fair, but who demonstrated the ‘power of endeavour’ and had the drive to succeed; as a vice-president himself of the South Adelaide Football Club, Magarey would have been delighted that these qualities were to be found in Andrew, who for many supporters redefined the concept of the ‘Ossie battler.’ When he retired from league football at the end of 2000, he had played 115 games and kicked 93 goals for the Panthers.