Brayden Crossley (born 16 August 1999) is an Australian rules footballer and the current co-captain of the Southport Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL), serving alongside Jacob Dawson. He previously played for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL).[2]
| Brayden Crossley | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Brayden Crossley | ||
| Nickname(s) | Goober[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 16 August 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Gold Coast, Queensland | ||
| Original team(s) | Palm Beach Currumbin (QAFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 52, 2017 national draft | ||
| Height | 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) | ||
| Weight | 102 kg (225 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Key forward / ruckman | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Southport | ||
| Number | 20 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2018–2019 | Gold Coast | 10 (5) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2019. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early life
editCrossley was born and raised on the Gold Coast. His father, Troy, is a Southport Sharks dual premiership player and Hall of Fame inductee.[3][4][5] Brayden grew up playing his junior football for the Burleigh Bombers before switching to Palm Beach Currumbin in the latter stages of his junior football. He attended Palm Beach Currumbin High School throughout his youth and joined Gold Coast Suns Academy in his teenage years. In October 2016, Crossley played a starring role for his high school when he led them to victory in the Queensland Schools Cup grand final[6] and was subsequently named best on ground for his three-goal performance.[7]
In his final year of junior football, Crossley was selected to represent the Gold Coast in the Academy Series and the Allies in the 2017 AFL Under 18 Championships. He was subsequently named the Allies' MVP[8] and the All-Australian ruckman. In November 2017, he was drafted by the Gold Coast Football Club with pick 52 in the 2017 AFL draft.[9]
AFL career
editCrossley made his AFL debut in round 7 of the 2018 AFL season against the Western Bulldogs.[10] He kicked a goal on debut and recorded thirteen disposals, seven hit outs and five tackles.[citation needed]
On 25 May 2019, Crossley tested positive to cocaine by ASADA on a match day ahead of a NEAFL game between Gold Coast Suns and the Sydney Swans, in which he played in a kicked two goals.[citation needed]
On 8 August, the news broke and Crossley now faces a ban of up to four-years under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.[11][12][13]
Crossley played for Southport in the club's six-point 2024 VFL grand final loss to Werribee.[14][15]
References
edit- ^ AFL (4 May 2018). "Brayden 'Goober' Crossley kicks his first goal! #AFLDogsSunspic.twitter.com/HSuL8BmkQV".
- ^ "2024 SOUTHPORT SHARKS VFL LEADERSHIP GROUP ANNOUNCEMENT". Southport Sharks. 23 March 2024. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "Gold Coast ruckman Brayden Crossley wrestles with his future".
- ^ "Southport name another Crossley". www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au. 22 July 2016.
- ^ "Son of a gun gets a NEAFL gong". www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au. 18 May 2016.
- ^ "Gold Coast schools win three titles". www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au. 17 October 2016.
- ^ Footy, AFLQ School (16 October 2016). "Congratulations Brayden Crossley, PBC SHS! 2016 @BLK_SPORT #AFLQSCup Senior Male Best on Ground pic.twitter.com/hGlNHFhjVA".
- ^ "Crossley emerges as new AFL cult hero in Gold Coast Suns loss to Western Bulldogs".
- ^ "Rayner becomes new Lion King". NewsComAu. 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Two debutants confirmed for Ballarat". goldcoastfc.com.au.
- ^ "Brayden Crossley positive drug test, AFL 2019, cocaine ban, Gold Coast forward facing four-year ban, ASADA investigation". Fox Sports. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ "Suns youngster facing four-year drug ban". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ "Brayden Crossley Club Statement". goldcoastfc.com.au. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ "2024 Smithy's VFL Grand Final: Player Profiles". AFL.com.au. 21 September 2024. Archived from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ "Werribee Tigers v Southport". AFL.com.au. 22 September 2024. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
External links
edit- Brayden Crossley's profile on the official website of the Gold Coast Football Club
- Brayden Crossley's playing statistics from AFL Tables