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In the sixth episode of Toe to Toe with Damo, Brisbane's gun defender Harris Andrews opens up to AFL.com.au's chief football reporter Damian Barrett

HARRIS Andrews' elevation to All-Australian status last year had been inevitable in the eyes of those who had watched him closely at Brisbane Lions since his first match in 2015. 

He was tracking for such honour in 2018 before being concussed in an ugly incident, and in 2019, and with the injury-forced absence of Alex Rance, he emerged as the game's standout full-back.

>> WATCH THE FULL HARRIS ANDREWS INTERVIEW IN THE PLAYER BELOW

In the latest Toe To Toe with Damo on AFL.com.au, Andrews said he had lost count of the hours he had spent analysing the ways of Rance (a five-time All-Australian) and West Coast's Jeremy McGovern (four-time) in his constant project to better himself. 

"(Rance) has probably got a little bit more athleticism than me, but I've watched countless hours of him and Jeremy McGovern, and the way they go about their footy," he told AFL.com.au.

"And certainly taking that next step as a defender, and not just locking down your bloke, but your ability to win the ball back is something in the modern day which is extremely important.

>> WATCH THE FULL TAYLOR WALKER INTERVIEW IN THE PLAYER BELOW

"I admire those guys from a distance. I got to meet Jeremy for the first time last year, and to see Alex retire and doing something he wants to do, it's sad to see him go but I appreciate how good he was.

"Watching footage of those guys and how they position themselves at stoppages and the way they work with their teammates to create opportunities … it cannot be understated how important it is to have a good back six (defenders)."

Andrews also spoke in detail about the 2018 concussion clash with GWS's Jeremy Cameron, why he is called "Dad" by teammates and the lost opportunity of the Lions' straight sets exit from last year's finals series.