The Adelaide Football Club is mourning the shock death of AFLW premiership player Heather Anderson.

The club released a brief statement on Monday confirming the army medic had sadly passed at 28 years of age.

“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,” the statement read.

Anderson became the first Northern Territory-based player drafted by the Adelaide Crows back in 2016.

She was snapped up with pick 10, and would go on to play in Adelaide’s 2017 premiership campaign.

Anderson quickly became a fan favourite due to her trusty pink head gear.

She explained how she turned to the bright attire to help her vision-impaired mother spot her on the field, and the trend stuck when she made it to the AFLW.

Anderson, a courageous defender who played eight games in her debut season, had to overcome a serious shoulder injury to even make it onto Adelaide’s list.

But her career was cut short when she suffered another dislocated shoulder in that grand final victory and opted for career-ending surgery.

In a statement, AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone expressed her sympathy to Anderson’s family and friends.

“Words cannot express the deep sadness amongst the AFL and AFLW community at this time. Our sincerest condolences are to the Anderson family,” Livingstone said.

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

The 28-year-old was described as a “much-loved” and “respected” teammate who would be greatly missed.