How good was Craig Bradley?

[footyfan1978]

Nothing wrong with being outside. He was an old school wingman. Even then though he was still getting 70-80 clearances a year in his latter years. Would be interesting to see what those stats would have been through his peak before those stats were recorded. His contested possession rate was decent enough too.

The games best 2 wingmen who are probably Langdon and Amon have never got near 70-80 clearances a year.

He probably played a bit more centre than wing. When Diesel returned to Carlton in 1992, then Braddles spent a lot more of his time on the wing whilst Diesel in the same team. Although Diesel was pushed out to play a bit more forward in 1995 so Braddles and Ratten would share the centre duties a bit more after that.

 

[screech]

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

Bartlett, Bradley, Burgoyne, Carey, Ebert, Fletcher, Harvey - Pretty elite company, that is probably not the worst insult that could be given

 

[Tackle Bag]

Great player. His type has been lost to the modern game a little bit. He had a great tank. He could run opponents into the ground across 4qtrs and really come into his own in the last half of games in a way that modern rotations don’t allow.

 

[Foucault1989]

What a shame reading sad posters saying absolutely ridiculous things about a great of the game.

You don't have to rate him as a player but to take the next step to call him "soft" or a "seagull" is just plain wrong.

It takes courage to run as hard and long as he did and to take the game on.

 

[Vedder]

Very good player

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Weird cutaway jumper

 

[doofdoof]

What was the Coodabeen's song?

 

[Seadog]

Pretty good.

 

[jezzajay]

Bonafide champion.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

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.

You forgot gathered the ball one handed while evading the players who had come in to contest the ball as well. That was the other awesome part of that play. Gaining possession in the 1st place and the banana kick finish on the run from 45.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Pretty sure the game after that WCE game he kicked another GOTY contender. Went on a big bouncing run and drilled a long goal from 50. Was it 1994 the year?.

 

[Bluez Rule]

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.

This.
I can remember driving past Royal Kids Hospital just before Christmas, stinking hot day bitumen melting and all that stuff. As I'm waiting for traffic to move I see two blokes running near the gardens.
"Who are these bloody idiots?" I thought to myself - just happened to be SOS and Braddles going for a run.
Worked out then why I was never anything but a bush footy battler - no way I'd have that dedication.

 

[footyfan1978]

Pretty sure the game after that WCE game he kicked another GOTY contender. Went on a big bouncing run and drilled a long goal from 50. Was it 1994 the year?.

1994 was the running banana goal v Eagles.
I do not remember what happened the next week. Did we play Tigers after Eagles?

 

[RonnieRaven]

Craig Bradley was an absolute champion of the game.
Absolute professional in his craft before it was professional.
Craig Bradley’s two way running repeat efforts endurance and always being around every contest.
Is like what dean coxs the highly skilled ruck was.
Ahead of their time and bloody good at it.

 

[RonnieRaven]

Also like Ken farmer should be recognised as the greatest goalkicker ever.
Craig Bradley should have the games record.

 

[Rabish Binney]

Haven't gone back through the numerous pages of this topic so apologies if this has been raised.

He was a gun cricketer. Selected in the U19's youth test squad against Pakistan in 1981/82, he scored 99 in the 1st test and 119 in the 3rd test.

Also got 63 and 40 in the 2 ODI's. His teammates included Craig McDermott; Mike Valetta & Tony Dodemaide;

Probably if he wasn't a footballer, he would have had a long 1st class career (played 2 games for SA and 2 for Vic) but I assume he stopped playing cricket to concentrate on his footy?

There was a story going around that one Saturday late in a cricket season (after he moved to Melbourne), he played a district cricket semi final and was in the field all day (100 odd overs). And then straight after that, he played a pre-season game with Carlton that night at Waverley.

As for his footy career, he was a star. Those on here who say otherwise are delusional.

 

[Gameova_]

Haven't gone back through the numerous pages of this topic so apologies if this has been raised.

He was a gun cricketer. Selected in the U19's youth test squad against Pakistan in 1981/82, he scored 99 in the 1st test and 119 in the 3rd test.

Also got 63 and 40 in the 2 ODI's. His teammates included Craig McDermott; Mike Valetta & Tony Dodemaide;

Probably if he wasn't a footballer, he would have had a long 1st class career (played 2 games for SA and 2 for Vic) but I assume he stopped playing cricket to concentrate on his footy?

There was a story going around that one Saturday late in a cricket season (after he moved to Melbourne), he played a district cricket semi final and was in the field all day (100 odd overs). And then straight after that, he played a pre-season game with Carlton that night at Waverley.

As for his footy career, he was a star. Those on here who say otherwise are delusional.

He was better than McLeod, right?

 

[Trent the flight Steward]

Loved to rack up the easy possessions on the outside, still a very good player but definitely a level or 2 below the greats.

Didn't bucks do that most of his career until Mick coached him

 

[Trent the flight Steward]

Was a gun for Sa in state of origin, typical south Aussie, beautiful balance, great kick and great runner. He was a similar player to bucks, just not as good overhead. The media made bucks, hirdy and vossy massive, were they better than diesel, Bradley, Hocking, jarmen probably not

 

[glengowan]

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.

Brilliant goal! Back in the era when the goal umpires use to signal the goal towards their mum in the crowd.

Camporeale was a pretty skilful wingman, also from SA, to replace him. Their careers may have crossed paths?

I was watching the doco on Peter Motley the other day. He and Bradley were best mates and house mates and along with Kernahan, all made the treck over to Carlton in the same year. Dorotich from WA too.

To add to his 500 odd games of league footy, he played first class cricket, 2 games for SA in 1983 and 2 games for Victoria in 1990. When he moved across to Carton, he came back each summer to play district cricket for Port Adelaide until 87/88 and then played Vic Grade Cricket for Melbourne until he retired in 91/92. He had in his contract, if Melbourne were playing finals and it clashed with footy, cricket took precedence.

 

[ash17]

Also like Ken farmer should be recognised as the greatest goalkicker ever.
Craig Bradley should have the games record.

Local footy doesn't count mate

 

[RonnieRaven]

Local footy doesn't count mate

Yes the state base comp with state base teams .
Your football knowledge is blinded by your closed mind.

 

[SuperMal]

Probably already been said...but I saw him from the start.

Extremely fit - Ran 90% of the opposition into the ground

Versatile - Wing, Centre, Follower, Half fwd

No real defensive side...but this was the 80s/90s.

Very good straight kick, had a left side.

Smart, consummate team player.

Never saw him take an overhead mark, Tom Alvin was the same.Paul Meldrum was much better overhead.

Ugly as sin...in the Mayne/Mundy/Platten vein.....

 

[STFU Donnie]

Enjoy!

A couple of future serial killers in that team, methinks.

 

[finn]

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.

How good is the goal umpire in that clip?
Knows where the camera is, top mo and the old lab coat.
Goal umpiring at its very finest.

Would like to see the lab coats back out during retro round.