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      Western Bulldogs
Footscray   Brad Hardie   Footscray

Number:

  4 Footscray

Western Bulldogs

Red white and Blue

Height:

   

Weight:

   

Birthday:

  10 October 1962

Period:

  1985 to 1986

Senior Games:

  47

Goals:

  28

Disposals:

   

Recruited From:

  South Fremantle
Honours:   Brownlow medal 1985, Simpson Medal 1984, Tassie Medal 1986. State representative for Western Australia on numerous occasions. Best and Fairest 1986.
  A stocky red head with big thighs, a low centre of gravity and tremendous judgement. A consistent ball-winner and great at disposal. In his first game against Carlton he polled 3 votes in the Brownlow and things continued from there.  

Footscray

 Very much an attacking player and attacked consistently from the back pocket. This flair and unorthodox tactics sometimes came unstuck but they often led to a loose man up-field and a goal to either Simon Beasley or Jim Edmond. Kicking 28 goals in two seasons from a back pocket is not bad going. Won the Brownlow in his first season of play. Was adored by the fans.    
Western Bulldogs  
  Always wore a long sleeve jumper, mainly to cover the scars he received in a backyard fire in 1978.  
   
  Brad would chase kicks, rather like a centre man and this would sometimes leave his man exposed. He was dragged in one match in 1986 because of this by coach Mick Malthouse. He took off his jumper and waved it to the coach in defiance. But the troubles between himself and the coach went deeper as one day Brad, whilst defending the dignity of Doug Hawkins and the club and the supporters had a physical run-in Mick Malthouse. Better player management would surely have seen Brad at the Bulldogs all of his playing career.  
   
  In 1987 he was transferred to the Brisbane Bears for a large fee. We tried to get him back again in 1990 after coach Mick Malthouse had left but it all ended in a schmozzle and Collingwood end up getting him in 1991.  
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Upon return to Western Australia he became a radio sports show compere and football broadcaster. He always spoke of the Bulldogs in favourable terms and hosted many sessions of the WA chapter of the Bulldogs fan club.  
A larrakin, a star and a thorough gentleman.