Brad Close Explained

Brad Close
Fullname:Bradley Close
Birth Date:30 July 1998
Birth Place:Mount Gambier, South Australia
Draftpick:No. 14, 2019 Rookie draft,
Debutdate:27 July 2020
Debutopponent:Fremantle
Debutstadium:Optus Stadium
Height:181 cm
Weight:71 kg
Position:Medium Forward
Guernsey:45
Years1:2020–
Games Goals1:95 (89)
Statsend:round 20, 2024
Careerhighlights:

2022

2019

Bradley Close (born 30 July 1998) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Geelong Cats in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by the Geelong Cats with the 14th pick in the 2019 rookie draft.

Early football

Close played local football for the North Gambier Football Club.[1] [2] He also played in the SANFL for the Glenelg Football Club in the 2019 season, where he kicked a total of 13 goals over 21 matches, while also winning the 2019 SANFL premiership[3] [4] [5]

AFL career

Close debuted in Geelong's thirty-two point win over the Fremantle Dockers in the eighth round of the 2020 AFL season.[6] [7] [8] Close kicked his first goal with his first kick just one minute into the game, also picking up 14 disposals, 3 marks and 4 tackles.[9] [6] [10] Close took home the Best Young Player Award for the Geelong Football Club at the conclusion of the season.[11] Close signed a contract extension with the Cats in November 2020.[12] Geelong's general manager of football, Simon Lloyd, said "Brad also played well as a forward and we see him having a good future at AFL level. He will continue to develop his game through his strong drive and professionalism and we look forward to seeing Brad further enhance his game in 2021."[12]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 6, 2023.[13] |-| 2020 || || 45| 8 || 2 || 2 || 29 || 41 || 70 || 13 || 24 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 3.6 || 5.1 || 8.8 || 1.6 || 3.0|-| 2021 || || 45| 22 || 15 || 10 || 132 || 159 || 291 || 61 || 72 || 0.6 || 0.4 || 6.0 || 7.2 || 13.2 || 2.7 || 3.2 |-| scope=row bgcolor=F0E68C | 2022# || || 45| 25 || 26 || 20 || 181 || 213 || 394 || 85 || 93 || 1.0 || 0.8 || 7.2 || 8.5 || 15.8 || 3.4 || 3.7|-| 2023 || || 45| 6 || 9 || 8 || 40 || 38 || 78 || 19 || 10 || 1.5 || 1.3 || 6.6 || 6.3 || 13.0 || 3.1 || 1.6|- class=sortbottom! colspan=3 | Career! 61 !! 52 !! 40 !! 382 !! 451 !! 833 !! 178 !! 199 !! 0.8 !! 0.6 !! 6.2 !! 7.3 !! 13.6 !! 2.9 !! 3.2|}

Honours and achievements

Team

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: North Gambier Football Club. 11 September 2017. Jackson. Trevor. The Border Watch. 21 August 2020.
  2. Web site: Brad Close. SANFL Media. 21 August 2020.
  3. Web site: Brad Close. Aussie Rules Draft Central. 21 August 2020.
  4. Web site: Two more selected in AFL Rookie Draft. SANFL Media. Milbank. Zac. December 2019. 21 August 2020.
  5. Web site: Close to debut. K Rock Football. 25 July 2020 . 21 August 2020.
  6. Web site: Fremantle held goalless in first half as Cats maul Dockers by 32-points. The West Australian. 27 July 2020. Quartermaine. Braden. 21 August 2020.
  7. Web site: Old fashioned Close reeady for modern debut. The Geelong Adveriser. 21 August 2020.
  8. Web site: Mature-age rookie to debut as gun Cat faces lengthy layoff. 24 July 2020. Cleary. Mitch. AFL Media. 21 August 2020.
  9. Web site: Round 8 • Fremantle v Geelong Cats - Player Stats. 21 August 2020.
  10. Web site: Geelong Cats debutant Brad Close joins first kick first goal club against Fremantle Dockers. 27 July 2020. McMurtry. Andrew. News.com.au. 21 August 2020.
  11. Web site: Guthrie wins Carji Greeves Medal. 29 October 2020. Diggerson. Kevin. 16 November 2020. Geelong Cats Media.
  12. Web site: Three Cats Sign On. Diggerson. Kevin. 23 November 2020. 23 November 2020. Geelong Cats Media.
  13. Web site: Brad Close. AFL Tables. 11 July 2020.