Brayden Crossley Explained

Brayden Crossley
Fullname:Brayden Crossley
Nickname:Goober[1]
Birth Date:16 August 1999
Birth Place:Gold Coast, Queensland
Originalteam:Palm Beach Currumbin (QAFL)
Draftpick:No. 52, 2017 national draft
Height:198 cm
Weight:102 kg
Position:Key forward / ruckman
Guernsey:32
Years1:2018 -
Games Goals1:10 (5)
Statsend:2018

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]

Early life

Crossley 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

Crossley 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.

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.

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brayden 'Goober' Crossley kicks his first goal! #AFLDogsSunspic.twitter.com/HSuL8BmkQV. AFL. 4 May 2018.
  2. Web site: 2024 SOUTHPORT SHARKS VFL LEADERSHIP GROUP ANNOUNCEMENT . Southport Sharks . 23 March 2024 . 24 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402172942/https://southportsharks.com.au/news/2024-southport-sharks-vfl-leadership-group-announcement/ . 2 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Gold Coast ruckman Brayden Crossley wrestles with his future .
  4. Web site: Southport name another Crossley. 22 July 2016. www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au.
  5. Web site: Son of a gun gets a NEAFL gong. 18 May 2016. www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au.
  6. Web site: Gold Coast schools win three titles. 17 October 2016. www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au.
  7. Web site: Congratulations Brayden Crossley, PBC SHS! 2016 @BLK_SPORT #AFLQSCup Senior Male Best on Ground pic.twitter.com/hGlNHFhjVA. AFLQ School. Footy. 16 October 2016.
  8. Web site: Crossley emerges as new AFL cult hero in Gold Coast Suns loss to Western Bulldogs.
  9. Web site: Rayner becomes new Lion King. 24 November 2017. NewsComAu.
  10. Web site: Two debutants confirmed for Ballarat. goldcoastfc.com.au.
  11. Web site: Brayden Crossley positive drug test, AFL 2019, cocaine ban, Gold Coast forward facing four-year ban, ASADA investigation. 2019-08-08. Fox Sports. en-AU. 2019-10-01.
  12. Web site: Suns youngster facing four-year drug ban. wwos.nine.com.au. en. 2019-10-01.
  13. Web site: Brayden Crossley Club Statement. goldcoastfc.com.au. en. 2019-10-01.