How good was Craig Bradley?

[Monkey King]

Loved to rack up the easy possessions on the outside ...

I think you're confusing him for Matera here pal. Bradley played as a centreman for a good portion of his career and while he wasn't your in-and-under type, he wasn't just the outside player you've described here either.

So well done on running with an overused cliche, but it just makes it look like you didn't watch him much either.

 

[Gasometer]

Cant believe I am rolling my eyes reading these past few posts and he's a moo Carlton player....dunno what some were doing during the 1990's on here.

 

[utility]

Seagull calls are harsh but true. An elite outside player.

 

[iluvparis]

Absolute top notch wingman/outside runner who is underrated because he played in the era of star forwards. Bit like the reverse of now where a few forwards (i.e. Tredders) are underrated because the midfielders get all the plaudits.

Expert finisher/set up player if he was given any space.

 

[Monkey King]

First and last time I think I'll ever agree with MK. Fantastic footballer, oozed class and skill. Shame his Port games aren't counted by the VFL, far more deserving of the greatest number of games plaudit of than the bearded stick insect from Hawthorn.

I wish I had have seen him play for Port, because like Kernahan, he stepped into Carlton and played like a seasoned pro from the get-go. What was he, 22yo by then? And a member of Port's TOC if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Spanish_Fly]

I was going to say very much like Matera, a brilliant all round player who played outside mainly because thats where his greatest strength was and gave the most advantage to his side.

 

[Papa G]

I wish I had have seen him play for Port, because like Kernahan, he stepped into Carlton and played like a seasoned pro from the get-go. What was he, 22yo by then? And a member of Port's TOC if I'm not mistaken.

He was a gun, even as a kid. Walked into a pretty good port side but just always seemed so self assured. Vividly remember him kicking 60 metre Torps effortlessly. Even have a signed birthday card from him circa 1982. Apart from his brilliant footy (and Cricket) skills, the man has lovely hand writing.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

I was saying Boo-Radley.

 

[lewigie]

Is now the Hager rep for WA over here. Top bloke, I didn't know who he was when I met him but after reading all this about him.. Wow.

 

[Monkey King]

He was a gun, even as a kid. Walked into a pretty good port side but just always seemed so self assured. Vividly remember him kicking 60 metre Torps effortlessly. Even have a signed birthday card from him circa 1982. Apart from his brilliant footy (and Cricket) skills, the man has lovely hand writing.

I lol'd.

I'd forgotten he was a State cricketer too. Must be one of the last footy players to have done this.

And yeah, the consistency of ease in his long kicking for goal was a genuine joy to watch.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

First and last time I think I'll ever agree with MK. Fantastic footballer, oozed class and skill. Shame his Port games aren't counted by the VFL, far more deserving of the greatest number of games plaudit of than the bearded stick insect from Hawthorn.

Yep, but Tucky's 100+ reserve games at Hawthorn should then count, since we are including games from second tier comps.

Bradley was as soft as they come.

 

[Monkey King]

Yep, but Tucky's 100+ reserve games at Hawthorn should then count, since we are including games from second tier comps.

Bradley was as soft as they come.

LOL. Two lines of stupid in the one post. Now that's what I call value for effort

 

[CharlieMortdecai]

While physical contact certainly wasn't a feature of Braddles game and it was rarely his role to do so, I saw him put his body on the line for the Blues whenever it was required; he always went we he had to go.

This is right, Bradley didn't shirk but being in and under wasn't his role. Great player, as someone else mentioned him and Platten are right up there compared to the later players mentioned in the OP.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Was always confident that Harvey would have his measure when we played them in the 90's and they went head to head and that generally proved to be the case, but Bradley was probably winding down a bit by that stage. Not at the same level as the likes of Ablett Jnr and Judd (when he was at his best and fully fit) and Voss and the like, but was super consistently very good, hence his 7 AA noms. (There were less teams back then though, so it was a bit easier to make an AA team).

 

[Goat 53]

What a moo you are. Doubt you ever watched him given these comments. While physical contact certainly wasn't a feature of Braddles game and it was rarely his role to do so, I saw him put his body on the line for the Blues whenever it was required; he always went we he had to go.

We agree then.

 

[Monkey King]

We agree then.

No point bolding one part of my post and pretending we agree. We don't agree at all.

In fact, I question how much you actually saw of the player given the comments you made.

 

[iluvparis]

Yep, but Tucky's 100+ reserve games at Hawthorn should then count, since we are including games from second tier comps.

Bradley was as soft as they come.

As opposed to Tuck - the worst player in history to play 400+ games

 

[Thuggee_Cult]

Bradley was a gun. Ran hard all day and his ball use was first class, rarely missed a target.

He would probably get more plaudits if he was playing today as a pure outside midfielder, as the midfield roles are a little more pronounced nowadays.

There were a lot of outside midfielders running around when he was still playing such as Gerard Healy, Peter Matera and Nathan Buckley but for some reason Bradley always got singled out as soft, must have been his curly hair . He was very durable and copped a lot of off the ball attention. To think he played over 100 senior games at Port before he crossed over to the VFL was outstanding.

Sometimes courage is defined as running 15+ km a game full tilt until you spew, like he did, and not belting blokes like Rod Grinter used to.

 

[KennyHunter9]

Bradley was a gun. Ran hard all day and his ball use was first class, rarely missed a target.

He would probably get more plaudits if he was playing today as a pure outside midfielder, as the midfield roles are a little more pronounced nowadays.

There were a lot of outside midfielders running around when he was still playing such as Gerard Healy, Peter Matera and Nathan Buckley but for some reason Bradley always got singled out as soft, must have been his curly hair . He was very durable and copped a lot of off the ball attention. To think he played over 100 senior games at Port before he crossed over to the VFL was outstanding.

Sometimes courage is defined as running 15+ km a game full tilt until you spew, like he did, and not belting blokes like Rod Grinter used to.

Great point. Courage shows itself differently in footy.

I'd add that in his years of footy he never shirked a contest. Yes, he would peel off packs (as he was no doubt instructed to do given his pace) but he had no problems getting his hands dirty. I can see how someone who didn't see him much might get confused for thinking outside run means no guts, but that's so far from the truth with Braddles is pathetic.

His longevity has more to do with his absolute professionalism in preparation. Was ahead of game in this regard. His approach to preparation was far more in line with professional athlete than the beer sodden thug we were used to in the 1980s.

The goal posted earlier must be one of the great goals of all time. Spoil, ran onto the ball, several bounced, burnt off a diving Peter Matera (greyhound) and then a banana from 50 ... wow.

 

[Pevers-Legend]

Bradley would be worth his weight in gold now. Top notch disposal. Ran all day. Was a great leader.

Hated him playing us out of respect as he was so good.

Anyone denigrating him is as juvenile as they come.

 

[final fight]

Absolute gun player. One of the greatest from SA.

 

[final fight]

Used to shirk a lot of contests which meant his body didn't cop the hammering more courageous players did and hence his longevity. Absolute seagull.

Stupid comment.

 

[STFU Donnie]

Used to shirk a lot of contests which meant his body didn't cop the hammering more courageous players did and hence his longevity. Absolute seagull.

I agree with this. My mate Woodsy used to go on about this feature of Bradley's game and I used to think he was being overly harsh. But then I was at a Carlton game against Collingwood and there was a ball in dispute and Bradley and a Magpie player were both going to get to it at the same time. At the last moment Bradley veered away abd it became an easy Collingwood possession.

Now, don't get me wrong. I still think Bradley was an outstanding player and deserves his HOF spot. But he was an outside receiver and IMO doesn't quite measure up to Voss, Williams, Hird et al.

 

[Donakebab]

Would be one of only 2 or 3 I'd put ahead of him.

Bradley wasn't even the 2-3rd best player at his club, let alone the AFL. Williams, Kernahan, Silvangi, Carey, Ablett, Dunstall, Hird, Voss, Ricutto, Buckley, Riciutto, Harvey... could go on. Great player, but behind these guys.

 

[FRUMPY]

Was one of the premier midfielders in the late 80's and 90's. Could run all day, had good skills and was an 80 meter player (run 30, kick 50). To think we got both him and sticks in the same year (and motley who ive heard was supposed to be the best of the 3).

Was an outside player but that was back in the days when we had wingman. Played the role beautifully. Also loved it how he kicked the first goal of the 95 gf, set the tone for the day.