FORMER Adelaide premiership player Heather Anderson has passed away.

Anderson, who was 28, was selected with pick No.10 in the inaugural NAB AFLW Draft of 2016, playing all eight games in the 2017 season.

Shoulder injuries ultimately ended the career of the Darwin-based player – who wore a bright pink helmet to assist her vision-impaired mother – after that season.

Away from football, Anderson was an army medic.

The AFL released a statement extending its "deepest sympathies to the family and friends" of Anderson.

"Words cannot express the deep sadness amongst the AFL and AFLW community at this time. Our sincerest condolences are to the Anderson family," AFL head of women's football Nicole Livingstone said.

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

Adelaide tweeted the following statement: "The Adelaide Football Club is deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of premiership player Heather Anderson. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends."

AFL Players' Association chief executive Paul Marsh expressed his condolences.

"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."