Bradley Facts
Born Craig Edwin Bradley on October 23rd, 1963 at Ashford, South Australia.
 
Bradley first began playing competitive football  in the Under 9s for Pooraka in South Australia.
 
After playing Under 19s with Pooraka, Bradley played his first senior League game for Port Adelaide in 1981.
 
He played in a Port Adelaide Premiership in the same year.
 
Bradley played 5 seasons and 98 games for Port Adelaide in the SANFL from 1981-1985
 


Another Bradley handball
 
Bradley first signed a contract to play VFL for Essendon in 1981, his first year of league football with Port Adelaide.
 
Essendon is stunned in 1985 when they learn that Bradley is to sign a contract to play with Carlton.
 
First played for Carlton on Easter Monday in 1986 in a VFL Round 1 game against Hawthorn at Waverley Park. Carlton lost by 36 points.
 
In the same game, fellow South Australians, Stephen Kernahan and Peter Motley made their debut for Carlton and John Platten played his first game for Hawthorn.
 
Bradley arrived at the ground a little late for his first game with Carlton. He had looked up the location of the ground in a street directory and arrived at a deserted oval in Glen Waverley..... wondering where all the people were!
 


The pain of defeat
 
Bradley's late arrival incurred the wrath of Carlton coach, Robert Walls.
 
During his career, Bradley played a club record total of 375 games for Carlton.
 
His 375 games is the fourth highest in League history behind Michael Tuck, Kevin Bartlett and Simon Madden.
 
His career at Carlton spanned 17 years from 1986 to 2001.
 
During his career, Bradley played in two Carlton Premierships, 1987 and 1995.
 


More anguish
 
Bradley played an Australian record of 492 senior games spanning 22 years with Port Adelaide and Carlton.
 
He also played 6 games for Australia in International Rules Series and 27 pre-season/night games for a total of 525 games. Incredible!
 
Bradley's final game was ironically against Port Adelaide. A game in which he suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung, requiring an overnight stay in hospital.
 
  Incredibly, he was named best on the ground by many experts including the umpires who awarded him 3 Brownlow Medal votes.
 
During his final season, the 38 year old Bradley finished third in the Carlton Best and Fairest award.
 


Bradley pressure
 
During his career, Bradley won the Carlton Best and Fairest Award on three occasions, 1986, 1988 and 1993.
 
He was also Runner-up in the same award four times and third three times.
 
As a testament to his consistency over his seventeen years with Carlton, Bradley finished in the top ten of club voting sixteen times, and in the top three on ten occasions.
 
Bradley won the Port Adelaide Best and Fairest three times, 1982, 1984 and 1985.
 
Bradley was appointed Carlton Vice-captain in 1990 and continued in the role as deputy to Stephen Kernahan until the end of the 1997 season.
 


The Bradley finish
 
He was appointed Carlton Captain in 1998 and led the team until the end of 2001.
 
Overall he captained Carlton in 116 games, third behind Stephen Kernahan and John Nicholls.
 
In 1999 Carlton held a Testimonial for Bradley.
 
In 1997 Bradley won the Michael Tuck Medal as best afield in Carlton's Pre-season Premiership win.
 
Bradley was named an Official Legend of the Carlton Football Club. He is also a member of Carlton's Hall of Fame.
 


One grab
 
In 2000, Bradley was named in the Carlton Team of the 20th Century. He is also a Carlton Football Club Life Member.
 
Bradley is also a life Member of the AFL.
 
During his career, Bradley made 24 appearances in finals matches, including four Grand Finals.
 
In 2001, aged 38, Bradley becomes the 6th oldest player in AFL/VFL history.
 
Bradley was named All-Australian on 7 occasions, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997.
 


More trouble for Essendon
 
During his illustrious career, Bradley represented South Australia on 19 occasions including 15 State of Origin games.
 
On three occasions he was awarded the Fos Williams Medal as best on ground for South Australia, 1986, 1991 and 1993.
 
During his final season (2001), Bradley at 38, averaged over 22 disposals per game in 23 matches. He remained one of the AFL's most respected mid-fielders and was usually tagged by opposing teams.
 
During his 17 seasons with Carlton in the VFL/AFL, Bradley polled a total of 140 Brownlow Medal votes.
 
Bradley kicked a total of 247 goals for Carlton during his career.
 

Farewell
 #21

On Thursday 31st October 2003, Carlton superstar Craig Bradley, announced his retirement from the game after a remarkable career spanning 17 years in the AFL, and 22 years in senior football altogether.

Although newly appointed Carlton coach, Denis Pagan had previously given Bradley the option of continuing his brilliant career with the Blues, Bradley, who recently turned 39, decided to hang up his boots after a record 375 games for Carlton.

 

During his stellar career, Bradley avoided the spotlight. He maintained a low profile in the media and preferred to let his performances on the field do the talking for him. So it was during his career, and so it was in the way he chose to announce his retirement. Instead of announcing his decision through the club with all the customary fanfare and pizzazz, Bradley released a humble and moving statement through the league. A move that bewildered Carlton, the AFL and the media alike. And so too did the first few sentences of his statement!
 

Bradley's Statement,  31st October 2002

"I would like to make a brief statement in regards to season 2003. Firstly, I'm fit, motivated and confident of being a valuable contributor to the team next season. Secondly, I would like to announce my retirement. I have spoken to Denis Pagan and he has left the door open for me to play on. I thank him for the respect he has shown me with such an opportunity.

I have many people to thank. and will do so in the coming weeks. I would however like to publicly thank the Carlton Football Club and the Port Adelaide Football Club for many wonderful times and their influence in shaping my life. To leave the game with a bit left in the tank and in good personal form makes me feel good. It's fitting that, Australian tour aside, my last game of footy was against Port Adelaide, a game in which I punctured my lung and broke a couple of ribs (thanks Port).

I'm a little excited about stepping back from the game and also a little nervous. I trust Donna (my wife) can handle any anxiety attacks coming her way. As a son, it's rewarding to have your parents enjoy your life. My mother was my greatest supporter and God help anyone who crossed me within ear shot of mum.  My dad is my hero. Thanks for teaching me the game of footy. I thank him for taking me with him when he coached footy.

At age five, six, seven, he would take me, include me in his environment and his passion and I loved it. Our routine went something like: 9 a.m. game with Pooraka Under Nines and scull a bottle of coke after a victory; Rush off to grab some fish and chips and one pineapple fritter; Sit with dad eating and watching Woodville Under 17s play and then hang around to be the mascot and watch dad's Under 19s play -- I'd wander around all day kicking the footy; Then to finish the day, back to nanna's for more chips and eggs and watching the footy replay; The ultimate day. For me anyway, a very special time.

Mum and Dad, thanks for being there all the way and yet never punishing me. Before I finish, I would especially like to acknowledge Geoff Motley for all his help and guidance.

Good luck to my fantastic Carlton team mates in 2003. I'll be watching closely. Go Blues."

Bradley snaps for goal with his left foot

Bradley marks in front of Mark Ricciuto

There is little doubt that Bradley will be remembered as one of the all-time greats of the game. It could also be said that Bradley was a key figure in many of the more recent changes that are an integral part of the game's recent evolution. Bradley was one of the first full-time professional players, and his influence on the development of "the running game" is undeniable.

Bradley was an awesome athlete. Gifted in many sports including tennis and cricket. He represented Australia in Under 19 cricket, and he played Sheffield Shield (Pura Cup) cricket for both South Australia and Victoria. In football he was blessed with tremendous speed and aerobic running ability. Couple these qualities with an exceptional skill level and an uncanny ability to read the play, and you have all the ingredients of a true champion. Early in his career, he was sometimes criticized  by opposition players and supporters as a "receiver," Bradley's incredible impact on the outcome of games and his longevity in the sport have long since dispelled these criticisms. Few players have displayed better hand to foot control of the ball. Bradley's ability to carry the ball and either kick long to position or short to a player with delicate precision has become his trademark.

   

Career Achievements

    Pre-Season Premiership in 1997 (Captain and Michael Tuck Medallist)

    Carlton Captain: 1998-2001

    Carlton Vice-Captain: 1990-1997

    Won Carlton Best and Fairest 3 times, 1986, 1988 and 1993

    Four times Runner-up Best and Fairest at Carlton

    Played in two Carlton Premiership teams, 1987 and 1995

    Official Legend of the Carlton Football Club

    Member of the Carlton Hall of Fame

    Member of the Carlton Team of the 20th Century

    Life Member of the Carlton Football Club

    Life Member of the AFL

    Played a total of 492 senior games (Record)

    All Australian: 1983, 1986, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997

    Represented South Australia 19 times (15 State of Origin)

    Fos Williams Medallist: 1986, 1991, 1993

    International Rules Series: 1984, 2000, 2001 (Captain), 2002

    Won the Port Adelaide Best and Fairest on 3 occasions

    Member of Port Adelaide Team of the 20th Century

 Bradley in full flight Another milestone!
   

Cricket

Bradley was also an outstanding cricketer. He toured England with the Australian Under 19 team in 1983, and played Sheffield Shield cricket for both South Australia and Victoria.

He made his Sheffield Shield debut for South Australia in the 1983/84 season. It was against Tasmania and Bradley was dismissed for three.

He first played for Victoria in Sheffield Shield cricket in 1989/90 season. Unfortunately he was dismissed for a duck.

Overall Bradley played 4 matches of Shield cricket. In 7 innings he scored 124 runs at an average of 17.71.  His highest score was 46.

As professionalism brought greater demands on AFL players in the late 1980s, Bradley was forced to concentrate on football.
 

International Series

Bradley represented Australia in the International Rules Series four times: 1984, 2000, 2001 and 2002.  Bradley was Australian captain in 2001.

His final International against Ireland was in 2001 at Croke Park, Ireland. It was his 9th appearance in Australian colours.  After the game, Bradley was chaired off the ground by his Australian team-mates. Bradley's nine game international total is a record for Australia. A record he shares with Terry Daniher and Steve Malaxos.

 

What Others Said
 

"He's been a wonderful ambassador for the Carlton Football Club. He's been a wonderful player for the club and he goes out like a true champion, while he's on top and at his best."

Denis Pagan
Carlton Football Club Coach

"Craig Bradley has had a wonderful playing career at the Carlton Football Club and has brought enjoyment to many thousands of Carlton Football Club supporters and indeed football supporters over many years. It is always difficult to know when to finish and I am pleased that the conclusion to Craig's great career at Carlton was in keeping with the high standards he set throughout his distinguished playing days."

John Elliott
Former Carlton Football Club President

"He's a champion in the true sense that he's got wonderful talent - but not always is wonderful talent enhanced by a totally professional attitude to preparation. I think Braddles' understanding of his own body and how much was too much (was good). He was a properly educated athlete.

David Parkin
Former Carlton Football Coach

"Carlton will miss him greatly because players of that ilk just don't come along all too often. You know, they're one in every ten, maybe twenty years, those sort of players."

Peter Schwab
Former opponent and current Hawthorn coach

"Out and out champion!  To have played as long as he has to the level he has is just amazing. He's hard to play against. He's smart.  He knows where to run and he reads the play as well as anybody I've ever played against."

Tony Shaw
Former opponent and Collingwood coach

"He has always presented himself in mint condition and this is why he has been able to play for as long as he has. As a person, he's always been an extremely loyal and close friend. We were together when we first came over to Melbourne and his loyalty and support through my most difficult times has always been available."

Peter Motley
Long time friend and former Carlton team-mate.

"I think just the way he went about his football, he is a real role model for youngsters. The way he prepares himself off the ground and I guess to play football at his level for so long is an amazing effort. Craig's pretty much a person that keeps to himself. He was the captain of our football club for three or four years, so certainly he is a leader. He has had a huge bearing on a lot of players."

Stephen Silvagni
Former Carlton team-mate

"Bradley demands professionalism in those with influence around him, which partly explains why he rarely speaks to the media. He finds that the truth is too often bent by reporters in the quest for a good story. Besides he doesn't have an ego that needs the publicity."

Dwayne Russell
Long time friend

   
#21 celebrates a goal

Bradley kicks under pressure

 

Summary
   

It is always sad when a champion retires. No longer will we be privileged to see No. 21 gather the ball in the centre square, carry it thirty metres with a few casual bounces and several elegant pirouettes, and then deliver a precision pass to a leading forward.  And that's a great shame!  However, we will be able to draw comfort from the fact that Craig Bradley has had a profound impact on the game. He has been a true pioneer of  modern football.  And that is something we can surely celebrate!

One of the fabulous things about Bradley's career is the fact that he has been completely unaffected by the glitz, glamour and hype of today's AFL.  Perhaps his former coach, David Parkin summed it up perfectly when he said, "I think it's just nice that AFL football has not seduced him at all and he's still the same, quiet, reasonably introverted but really nice, gentle man that he was when he started many many years ago."

We at Sports Card World agree with these sentiments entirely. We salute a true legend of the game and simply say .................... Thanks Braddles !

Another Bradley goal! That look of Bradley determination