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Not sure the AFL have begun to cotton on to what happens down here.Comment
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Someone might need to check in with BAD
Former Suns ruckman invited to train with Bulldogs
Former Suns ruckman Brayden Crossley has been invited to train with the Bulldogs
By Josh Gabelich
Just now
THE WESTERN Bulldogs have invited former Gold Coast ruckman Brayden Crossley to play in Sunday's intraclub in Maroochydore during the club's pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast.
Crossley underwent a medical with the club on Wednesday and will be permitted to train with Luke Beveridge's squad under pre-season supplemental selection period rules.
It is understood that Crossley has only been offered the opportunity to join the captain's run on Saturday and scratch match on Sunday, but the Bulldogs are open to extending the trial for the duration of the camp – and potentially back in Victoria.
The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the premier ruckmen outside the AFL across the past few years, leading Southport to a Grand Final this year after being included in the VFL Team of the Year squad.
Crossley played 10 games for Gold Coast after being recruited from the Suns' Academy, before being delisted at the end of 2019 after being handed a 12-month anti-doping suspension.
Since joining Southport for the 2021 season, the 198cm ruckman has become a star in the VFL, putting his hand up for another AFL chance in 2024 during a phenomenal finals series where he amassed 69 hitouts in the Grand Final, a week after registering 71 against Footscray in the preliminary final win.
Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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So I think BT and Sedat have been pushing the Crossley case for a while. The window is now open.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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This is from SEN a few months back
VFL star getting prepared in case second AFL chance comes his way
By Andrew Slevison
Southport co-captain Brayden Crossley would absolutely jump at another AFL opportunity if it came his way.
The 25-year-old ruckman has starred in the VFL for the Sharks across the last few seasons, coinciding with the premiership in 2023 and a Grand Final appearance this year.
Delisted by the Gold Coast Suns in 2019 after an irregular drugs test on a NEAFL match day, Crossley says he would love another chance at the elite level if an AFL club was to show any interest.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Crossley said when asked on AFL Trade Radio if he’d consider another AFL chance.
“It’s really cool that you guys (Damian Barrett and Brad Johnson) and a few other people have been talking about me and throwing my name in the ring.
“Obviously I’m not playing state league level for the money because there’s not much in the state leagues at the moment.
“It’s to play at the highest level that I possibly can for as long as I can. Obviously AFL is the next step after that and my hat being thrown in the ring is really cool.
“If something came knocking and clubs were calling me asking if I’m ready to step up then absolutely I would take it with two hands. I’d absolutely love it.”
Crossley, who is also a disability support worker at Being Mentors, says as yet there has been no contact forthcoming.
He continues to hold hope as AFL clubs work on their 2025 list builds in the middle of the trade period and will prepare himself just in case it falls that way.
“I haven’t had anyone reach out just yet,” he added.
“In my position and being the player I am I dare say a few teams would be waiting to see how this trade period plays out. They’d be seeing what depth they can get from other clubs.
“Maybe the calls will start coming then, but I’m certainly not sitting on my palms waiting for that. I’m back training already and ready to step up if it’s required that I’m at (an AFL) pre-season in three or four weeks’ time.
“I’m getting prepared for that if that’s the case because obviously this is a long couple of weeks and list managers can change their mind quite quickly.
“I would absolutely love the opportunity to get on a list again.”
Crossley played 22 games in the VFL in 2024, averaging 43 hit-outs, 14 disposals and six tackles while kicking 12 goals.
He was initially drafted by the Suns with Pick 52 in the 2017 draft and played 10 AFL games for the club.
Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Oooh this is interesting. It can read in a few different ways too. 1 - we're worried about Tim going down during the season and having Gardy and Smith as our backups. 2 - We now think Mara won't play this season and it opens up an additional spot on the list? (not sure if that's even possible?) 3 - We've come to the realisation that Brew is less of a need than Crossley and finally 4 - We're just doing it so we have a recognised ruckman for our scratch matches.
If he's got the desire to get into AFL shape again i'd love to have him on our list, i'm not sure that's where his aspirations are however. Seems pretty happy to roll around in the VFL racking up 70 hitouts a week and not having to run 40kms through training blocks.Comment
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Crossley seems like the most un-Bevo like selection ever, outside their shared love of handlebar moustaches.
I guess we were reported to be interested in Boyd that ended up at the Saints but it is strange to bring him on board now when we could have been having a closer look at him all pre-season.Comment
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You would have to think that the set back with English and a genuine want to play Lobb as a defender probably means we would like to see if in a rucking sense Crossley is a potential upgrade on Gardner.
Perhaps wanting to keep Darcy forward as much as we can might have factored into a rethink.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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