How good was Craig Bradley?

[Necromancer Beth]

501 senior games
375 Carlton games
7 All Australians
3 Carlton B&Fs
3 Port Adelaide B&Fs
19 time SOO rep
2 Carlton premierships
1 Port Adelaide premiership
Port Adelaide team of the century
Carlton team of the century
HOF member

I always hear about how good Voss, Buckley, Cousins, Roo & Hird were, but looking back on this guys career, his achievements stack up to any of the aformentioned. I was only a kid and teenager when he was playing, so could someone please tell me if he does measure up favourably with the very best players to ever play?

 

[MF]

Probably didn't quite have the same game winning, and game changing ability those other guys had (expected given that they all played in the middle for their entire careers) but was every bit as consistent and brilliant over a long period. Very classy player and extremely damaging with his carry and long kicking.

 

[Necromancer Beth]

Probably didn't quite have the same game winning, and game changing ability those other guys had (expected given that they all played in the middle) but was every bit as consistent and brilliant over a long period. Very classy player and extremely damaging with his carry and long kicking.

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

 

[Franc de Borges]

He was an absolute gun at his best. Suffered from being considered 'soft' but was as durable as anyone has ever been. Great skills on both sides and usually stood up in big games. Was a jet in the late 80's in particular.

A legend at Carlton.

 

[Franc de Borges]

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

No way.

To explain, I think he deserves more credit than he gets. Was easily as good as those mentioned, possibly better.

 

[Gasometer]

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

No.

 

[MF]

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

Definitely on level pegging with Crawford, McLeod etc IMO. West is overrated.

 

[Gasometer]

Definitely on level pegging with Crawford, McLeod etc IMO. West is overrated.

Scott West we're talking about?

Petered off towards the end but at his prime he was devastating.

 

[Necromancer Beth]

No way.

Better or worse?

 

[Gasometer]

Scott West

• 7 club best-and-fairest awards (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005)
• 5 All-Australian honours (1998, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006)
• Lou Richards Medal (2006)
• AFL Rising Star Nominee (1993)
• International Rules Series 1999, 2000
• Top 5 in the Brownlow medal: 2nd in 2000, 2006; 3rd in 1998; 4th in 2004, 2005

 

[Franc de Borges]

Better or worse?

See my edit.

 

[MF]

Scott West

I never suggested West wasn't a great player or a champion. I just think he had quite a few deficiencies in his game compared to the other top line midfielders of his time.

 

[Cynic]

Absolute gun. As good as all those mentioned in the OP. Doesn't get mentioned with them due to mostly playing in a different era and low hurt or domination factor as MalceskiFan mentioned.

 

[ExTasDeeMan]

Best female to ever play the game. But yeah - great player.

 

[Gasometer]

I never suggested West wasn't a great player or a champion. I just think he had quite a few deficiencies in his game compared to the other top line midfielders of his time.

West is overrated.

O k.

 

[Macca19]

A fantastic, old school pure wingman who could use his pace, endurance and long kicking to advantage. Definitely deserves more plaudits than he recieves.

Was as good as any player through the 90s.

 

[Gasometer]

A fantastic, old school pure wingman who could use his pace, endurance and long kicking to advantage. Definitely deserves more plaudits than he recieves.

Was as good as any player through the 90s.

Combined with Ratten, Harry and Williams and Sticks...

 

[Necromancer Beth]

.
Was as good as any player through the 90s.

As good as Wayne Carey?

 

[Goat 53]

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.

 

[Macca19]

As good as Wayne Carey?

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

 

[The Wing Man]

A very good outside ball player, his longevity proves his worth. Contested possessions was not his strength though, but give him an inch and he could tear you up on the run.

 

[Kim Hagdorn]

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

 

[Monkey King]

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.

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.

 

[goodoldcats]

I would compare him to fletcher, gets over-rated due to playing for a long time.

Decent player who was good at the seagull role who was happy to shirk contests. Would not put him within the top 50 players of the 80s and 90s

 

[Papa G]

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.