MICHELANGELO RUCCI
August 16, 2006 12:15am
CRAIG Bradley left the SANFL in 1986 with the hope, if not expectation, he would one day return to his home at Alberton.
First, there was the incentive to play another two SANFL league games to reach his century with Port Adelaide and, by tradition, get his name on a Magpie locker.
Second, there was always hope among the Port faithful that Bradley could be lured away from Carlton to be part of their AFL adventure.
Bradley last night returned to Adelaide for a far greater honour - induction to the SA Football Hall of Fame.
He was among the eight inductions that gives the Hall, inaugurated in 2002, 150 members.
Bradley, Adelaide premiership heroes Shaun Rehn and Darren Jarman, Woodville centreman Bob Simunsen, West Adelaide's All-Australian wingman Jack Lynch, grand final umpire Rick Kinnear, Norwood and West Torrens goalkicking phenomenon Neville Roberts and North Adelaide administrator John Forrester make up the Class of 2006.
Bradley's induction - when the bulk of his football career was in the VFL-AFL at Carlton - recognises his outstanding career that changed the way South Australians were perceived in Victoria's big league.
Bradley, whose loyalty to SA football was repeatedly shown by his commitment to Origin teams, last night expressed equal pride in his induction to the SA Football Hall of Fame months after being ushered into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in Melbourne.
"It is funny to say that," said Bradley, "but I am a South Australian boy, I was brought up here, so my emotions are more than being happy to be recognised at home - I am proud, really proud."
By his performances at Carlton and in the SA Origin teams that repeatedly beat the VFL, Bradley changed decades of Victorian prejudice against South Australian footballers.
This - along with Bradley's outstanding achievements across 501 games for Port, Carlton, SA and Australia - made the former state cricketer an instant selection as soon as he became eligible for the Hall.
Bradley reflected on the challenge he, long-time friend Peter Motley, Kernahan and Platten faced in moving to the VFL in the 1980s.
"As a group," said Bradley, who played golf with Motley in Adelaide yesterday, "we knew we were swimming in the deep. We were close as a group and wanted to do our best, not only for ourselves but for our state.
"Our good record in state football shone through. And as SA boys, we knew our state got a kick out of us doing well over there (in Victoria).
"That responsibility of doing our best not only for ourselves but SA sat well with us."
In line with Bradley's contribution to SA football on a national scale, the Hall last night also recognised Rehn and Jarman - in part - for their roles in securing Adelaide's premiership double in 1997 and 1998.
North Adelaide administrator, the late John Forrester's induction continued the theme of South Australians who boldly carried the SANFL's flame on the national stage, at the Australian National Football Council.
Woodville centreman Bob Simunsen's loyalty to the old Woodpeckers as they waited for league entry in 1964 - and his record of winning an SA state team jumper before becoming a league player - promoted his induction.
FOOTNOTE: Bradley's wish to have his name recorded on a Magpie locker has been fulfilled in recognition of his place in the club's greatest team from 1870-2000.
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Hard to argue against any of these choices. Even "my old mate" Rick Kinnear. After the crap I saw dished up last saturday as an alledged umpiring display I long for the days when Rick blew the whistle. I was particulary pleased to see Bob Simunsen get a gig (very underrated in footy history IMO).
Just one thing. Does anyone remember who Rehn and Jarman played for prior to playing at Adelaide? The article (or author) doesn't mention it.
