The courageously tough midfielder has had an incredible AFL journey. Hailing from the Northern Territory, Jed was in GWS’ Zone as part of the clubs priority access to the Draft ahead of the clubs inaugural AFL season. This resulted in Jed moving to Sydney as a 16 year old to commence training with the GWS team who at that stage were competing in the U/18 TAC Cup Competition. The change in school, home, and environment was tricky early days for him so he opted to return to the Northern Territory to finish his schooling and junior football.
At the conclusion of the 2012 season Jed was pre-listed by GWS under the priority access rules and then traded to Hawthorn. Settling in well at Hawthorn, Jed made his AFL debut in Round 1 of 2013 before earning an AFL Rising Star Nomination in Round 3 after an exceptional performance against Collingwood. Throughout the remainder of the year, Jed was in and out of the Hawk’s line up that was about to embark on a Premiership three-peat, however he didn't come in to the team in the later rounds of the season and Qualifying Final, before returning to Box Hill to play a role in the clubs VFL Premiership.
After his debut season, Jed experienced a number of different injuries and an illness that ruled him out of playing a lot of Football. During this time, Jed requested a trade to North Melbourne in a hope for some more senior opportunities, and a deal was struck at the end of the 2015 season.
The 2018 Season was Jed’s best he had in his career at that point as his body allowed him to manage 21 games and play an integral role in North Melbourne’s midfield, seeing him finish in the Top 10 of the clubs Best & Fairest. Jed continued on this form in 2019, further imposing himself as a contested beast for the Kangaroos before a terrific 2020 season where he finished third in the Club Best & Fairest. Unfortunately after a strong start to the 2021 season, Jed suffered a serious ankle injury which ruled him out for the majority of the season, before returning to play in the final rounds of the year.
After another coaching change in the 2022 Season, Jed found it difficult to get going as he was squeezed out of the midfield as the club tried to blood some younger players through the middle. This led to the club choosing to not renew his contract beyond the 2022 Season, leading to Jed joining the Suns as a Free Agent. . However, Jed did not play a game for Gold Coast in 2023. Jed Anderson departed the Gold Coast Suns at the end of the 2023 season.
Recruited From: 2012 NAB AFL Draft, GWS Zone Selection on-traded to Hawthorn from NT Thunder.
Achievements: 3rd Place Club Best & Fairest 2020