Kepler Bradley

Infobox afl player


firstname = Kepler
lastname = Bradley


birthdate = Birth date and age|1985|11|13|df=y
birthplace = Western Australia
originalteam = West Perth Football Club
heightweight = 199cm / 103kg
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = Round 1, 28 March 2004
debutteam = Essendon
debutopponent = Port Adelaide
debutstadium = AAMI Stadium
playingteams = Essendon (2004—2007),

49 games, 14 goals

Fremantle (2008-)

9 games, 12 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = Round 22, 2008
careerhighlights =

*Larke Medal 2003
*AFL Rising Star nominee 2005

Kepler Bradley (born 13 November 1985) is an Australian rules footballer. In November 2007 he was selected by Fremantle in the 2007 AFL Draft. He previously played with Essendon in the Australian Football League. He was delisted by that club at the end of the 2007 season.

Bradley was taken high in the 2003 AFL Draft, with Essendon's first selection at no. 6 overall. He made his AFL debut in the first game of the 2004 season - Essendon's 96-point loss to Port Adelaide - and finished with 5 games in his debut year. A very tall and agile player, Bradley has played as a forward, defender, wingman, ruckman and even ruck rover. [Emma Quayle; [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/18/1077072710921.html Bradley stands tall - on the wing] ; 19 February 2004]

2005 saw Bradley mainly used in key defensive positions by coach Kevin Sheedy and he became a more permanent fixture in the side. In 2006 he was selected for all but one game, however the first half of 2007 saw Bradley's opportunities limited to just two appearances, largely due to the recruiting of former Brisbane star Mal Michael and the meteoric rise of young Paddy Ryder, both playing key roles in the Essendon defence with veteran Dustin Fletcher, leaving little room for another tall player in the backline.

Bradley's fall from grace was put down by many to his crucial mistakes in The ANZAC Day clash, where his risky kick across goal was intercepted by Tarkyn Lockyer, costing the Bombers a goal. [ [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/bradleys-blooper-on-the-big-stage/2007/04/25/1177459787015.html Bradley's blooper on the big stage] ] After this match, his disposal skills were put under increased scrutiny.

Nevertheless, as a versatile player, he was prominent as a forward for the Bendigo Bombers. [ [http://www.essendonfc.com.au/bendigo/report.asp?round_no=6 Bendigo Match Report] ]

At the end of the 2007 season Bradley was one of four players delisted after a deal to trade him to Fremantle Dockers was not able to be made during trade week. He then returned to Western Australia and began training with the Dockers, who selected him with their 5th round selection (69th overall) in the National Draft. He made his debut for Fremantle in Round 8 of 2008 in the Dockers 3 point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval, where he collected 21 possessions and a goal.

References

External links

*Essplayer|ref=288488
*AflRleague|ref=K/Kepler_Bradley.html