How good was Craig Bradley?

[Macca180]

Champion. Run all day.

Where is he now?

 

[Melbourne Lion]

He was top shelf. A very good player.

 

[SpiritOfCarlton]

First three years in the big smoke.

 

[Lingsface]

Also played for australia in cricket at underage level, have heard he could of played for australia had alot of talent apparently.

I remember him being Carlton’s dangerous midfielder and potential game winner along with kernahan in that era, which they were one of the powerhouse teams.

 

[Altum Volantes]

He was a great player in the 90s, one of the real class players.

To compare him to his peers, I would rate him better than Michael Long and not quite as good as Peter Matera.

Random 10 year bump…still stand by the above…

 

[Stabby McGee]

Also played for australia in cricket at underage level, have heard he could of played for australia had alot of talent apparently.

I remember him being Carlton’s dangerous midfielder and potential game winner along with kernahan in that era, which they were one of the powerhouse teams.

Opened the batting for a very strong MCC for many a year. Just one of those can do most anything sportsman

 

[pz5151]

So was he in that tier below with players like Crawford, West, Akermanis and co?

Not even close to Akermanis. People don't give Aker anywhere near enough credit because of his being a bit of a w***er. I've never seen anyone as consistently able to kick goals on either foot running in the wrong direction at full pace from the boundary line at or around the 50m line. Bradley was a very good player but not on that level. I would say Aker is ahead of Crawf and West also.

 

[kreuze_missile]

All the other names you mentioned were considered the best player in the competition at one point in their careers.

Bradley was never even close to that level.

 

[jim boy]

All the other names you mentioned were considered the best player in the competition at one point in their careers.

Bradley was never even close to that level.

Yeah - I'd equate him more with Corey Enright - not the style obviously, but in that they were a super-consistent high level performer for so many years, always among the best players on the team and the league in general, but not really the best player in the team (despite B&Fs which tend to reflect consistency)

 

[JackFlash]

I can't really see how anyone can criticise him over the years? He played over 20 seasons in both SA and Victoria, no extended time on the sidelines with any major injuries in a successful team. He didn't talk much to the media and was surrounded by more high-profile players like Kernahan, Williams, Ratten, Silvagni, Kouda etc. I only see a consistently great player over a long time in football. He polled 3 Brownlow votes in his final game at age 38! If there are any flaws in his game, feel free to enlighten me? He's definitely in the best 50 players since 1980 and i wouldn't argue with anyone who picked him in the first 22?

 

[pz5151]

All the other names you mentioned were considered the best player in the competition at one point in their careers.

Bradley was never even close to that level.

Exactly. I can't even think of a period where he was the best player (or top 2) at Carlton. Williams, Silvagni, Kernahan, Kouta were all better than him.

 

[Warhorse]

If he didnt play so many games he wouldnt be remembered at all. A similar level to Garry Hocking

 

[greatwhiteshark]

A Very good player in two states at the highest level.
473 League games and the games record holder that will never be beaten.

 

[Sector 7G]

7 time All Australian (note they only introduced a regular AA team in 1991 before then it wasn't every year). 4 of those were the year he turned 30 or after

One of the best outside players the game has seen.

3 brownlow votes in his last game at 38. Unbelievable consistently brilliant for over 20 years

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Not even close to Akermanis. People don't give Aker anywhere near enough credit because of his being a bit of a w***er. I've never seen anyone as consistently able to kick goals on either foot running in the wrong direction at full pace from the boundary line at or around the 50m line. Bradley was a very good player but not on that level. I would say Aker is ahead of Crawf and West also.

It's not just about skills though, is it? Aker had absolutely peerless skills, there's no doubt about that.

 

[Macca19]

7 time All Australian (note they only introduced a regular AA team in 1991 before then it wasn't every year). 4 of those were the year he turned 30 or after

One of the best outside players the game has seen.

3 brownlow votes in his last game at 38. Unbelievable consistently brilliant for over 20 years

Made 2 VFL team of the years as well which was the precursor to the yearly AA teams, so he essentially made 9 All Australians.

He's probably the best outside player the game has seen.

 

[blueboy25]

If he didnt play so many games he wouldnt be remembered at all. A similar level to Garry Hocking

Similar to Scott Pendlebury

 

[Warhorse]

Similar to Scott Pendlebury

I would say comparable to Selwood level or a touch below. Was never in the top 10 players in the 90s for each year. Was a very good player for a long time.

 

[blueboy25]

I would say comparable to Selwood level or a touch below. Was never in the top 10 players in the 90s for each year. Was a very good player for a long time.

His finals record is pretty decent as well.

24 finals with only 5 of those with less than 20 touches and only one of those is less than 10 touches. This is back when it wasn't a possession game like it is now.

1986 (3 finals)
QF 33 disposals
SF 23 disposals, 1 goal
GF - 8 disposals

1987 2 finals
SF 19 disposals
GF 17 Disposals - 3 goals

1988
QF 22 Disposals 1 goal
SF 22 disposals
PF 31 disposals, 1 goal

1993
QF 25 disposals
SF 27 disposals, 5 goals
GF 25 disposals, 1 goal

1995
QF 23 disposals
PF 23 disposals
GF 23 disposals, 2 goals

1996
QF 22 disposals
SF 34 disposals

1999
SF 28 disposals
PF 16 disposals
GF 25 disposals

2000
SF 27 disposals 1 goal
PD 17 disposals, 1 goal

2001
EF 31 disposals, 2 goals
SF 20 disposals

 

[HairyO]

Made 2 VFL team of the years as well which was the precursor to the yearly AA teams, so he essentially made 9 All Australians.

He's probably the best outside player the game has seen.

Dipper and Flower from my time. Bourke and Grieg from before.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Yeah - I'd equate him more with Corey Enright - not the style obviously, but in that they were a super-consistent high level performer for so many years, always among the best players on the team and the league in general, but not really the best player in the team (despite B&Fs which tend to reflect consistency)

Jackson Macrae.

 

[Papa G]

Exactly. I can't even think of a period where he was the best player (or top 2) at Carlton. Williams, Silvagni, Kernahan, Kouta were all better than him.

Wouldn't 3 best and fairests at Carlton say otherwise?

He came 2nd 4 times.

So in 7 seasons he was in Carlton's top 2 players.

 

[Freomaniac]

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.

Bradley was right up there with the best of his era and like Platten, doesn't seem to get the kudos he deserves when mentioned alongside more recent mids. Super fit and had a modern-day gut running ability that was more unique back in his day. Great skills on both feet too. What I miss most about Braddles is seeing him stream forward and plonk goals from 55m with ease. Carlton haven't had anyone who could consistently do this since he retired and I'd just become so accustomed to it.

Here's my favourite Bradley moment. I was on the same wing at this game and the crowd went bananas knowing they just seen something special. Outrunning Matera at that stage was a feat in itself.

Well I am born in 1987. So fortunate enough to seen him play. Can kick with both feet as good as anyone.

Endurance was fantastic too. A rare player that can run at 20 on a beep test.

As stated was almost 38 or 39 years old when he retired in 2002

 

[CholEstrol]

One of my all time favorites.
If you want t learn how to kick a 50m goal on the run. Watch this guy,

 

[footyfan1978]

So was he in that tier below with players like Crawford, West, Akermanis and co?

No chance. Above. The closest player to tracking similar career and consistency today would be Sam Walsh. If Walsh can do another 12 to 14 years of his current level will be equal to Braddles.