BREAKING NEWS: Former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Head Coach Dies at 57 — Rugby League World in Mourning**
*April 18, 2025 | Sydney, NSW*
The rugby league community is in mourning today following confirmation that **former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Head Coach, Mark “Macca” Andrews**, has **passed away at the age of 57** after a brief but courageous battle with illness.
The sad news was confirmed early Friday morning by the Bulldogs organization in an official statement shared with media and supporters:
> “It is with profound sadness that the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs confirm the passing of our former Head Coach, Mark Andrews. Mark was not only a tactical mind and passionate leader but a beloved mentor, teammate, and friend. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all those touched by his legacy.”
Andrews, who led the Bulldogs during a transformative period between 2012 and 2016, is remembered not only for his football acumen but for his deep commitment to the players and the wider Bulldogs community.
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### A Coach of Grit and Heart
Andrews, known affectionately by players and fans as “Macca,” took over the Bulldogs during a challenging time in club history. With the team struggling for identity and consistency, he helped reestablish a culture built on toughness, loyalty, and hard work — traits that reflected his own journey from a humble junior coach in Bankstown to one of the most respected minds in the game.
Under his leadership, the Bulldogs reached the **2014 NRL Grand Final**, falling just short to South Sydney in a match remembered for its intensity and emotion.
> “He brought belief back into the locker room,” said Bulldogs great Josh Reynolds. “We weren’t just players to him — we were family.”
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### His Final Battle
Although Andrews had largely stepped away from the public eye in recent years, he remained quietly active behind the scenes, mentoring junior coaches and staying connected with the game he loved.
In late 2024, it became known within rugby league circles that Andrews was battling **a rare and aggressive form of pancreatic cancer**. He reportedly kept the diagnosis private, preferring to spend time with his family and close friends without public attention.
> “Mark fought with dignity and strength, right to the end,” said former Bulldogs captain Michael Ennis. “He didn’t want sympathy. He wanted to be remembered for the good times — and there were plenty of those.”
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### Outpouring of Grief and Tribute
The announcement of Andrews’ passing triggered an immediate wave of tributes from players, coaches, fans, and even rival clubs.
**NRL CEO Andrew Abdo** shared the league’s condolences:
> “Mark Andrews was a figure of integrity and passion within the rugby league family. His impact on the Bulldogs and on the game itself will not be forgotten.”
Current Bulldogs Head Coach **Cameron Ciraldo**, who once served as an assistant under Andrews, said:
> “Everything I know about leading a group of men, I learned from Macca. He was the real deal — honest, fierce, and full of heart.”
The Bulldogs confirmed they will wear **black armbands** in Sunday’s match against the Tigers, with a **minute’s silence** planned before kickoff at Accor Stadium.
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### More Than a Coach
While his accomplishments on the field are well documented — including a 62% win record over his five-year tenure — it was Andrews’ impact off the field that many say defined his legacy.
He was a **father figure** to many young players, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He frequently opened his home to struggling athletes, helped fund community programs in Western Sydney, and was a vocal advocate for mental health in sport long before it became widely discussed.
> “He saved my career — and maybe even my life,” said one former player, who asked to remain unnamed. “He cared about you as a person. That’s what made him different.”
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### Final Farewell
Andrews is survived by his wife, Angela, their two children — Chloe and Daniel — and his two beloved bulldogs, Mack and Buster.
The family has requested privacy but confirmed that a **public memorial service will be held next Thursday** at Belmore Sports Ground, followed by a **celebration of life** open to all fans, players, and members of the rugby league community.
> “He never wanted a fuss,” his daughter Chloe said. “But we know how many lives he touched. We want to give everyone a chance to say goodbye.”
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### A Legacy That Lives On
Though he left the game almost a decade ago, Mark Andrews’ influence continues to shape the Bulldogs and the NRL at large. Many of today’s coaching philosophies — player-centered development, open dialogue, emotional intelligence — were modeled after the foundations he laid.
> “The scoreboard doesn’t always tell the story,” he once said. “The real win is building men who leave this game better than they came into it.”
And that, perhaps, is his greatest triumph.
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**Rest in Peace, Macca.
You were more than a coach.
You were the heartbeat of Belmore.**
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