Brayden Crossley

Brayden Crossley
Personal information
Full name	Brayden Crossley
Nickname(s)	Goober [1]
Date of birth	(1999-08-16) 16 August 1999 (age 21)
Place of birth	Gold Coast, Queensland
Original team(s)	Palm Beach Currumbin (QAFL)
Draft	No. 52, 2017 national draft
Height	198 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Weight	102 kg (225 lb)
Position(s)	Key forward / ruckman
Club information
Current club	Gold Coast
Number	32
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2018–	Gold Coast	10 (5)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2018.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Brayden Crossley (born 16 August 1999) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

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. ^{[2] [3] [4]} 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 ^[5] and was subsequently named best on ground for his three-goal performance. ^[6]

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 ^[7] 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. ^[8]

AFL career

Crossley made his AFL debut in round 7 of the 2018 AFL season against the Western Bulldogs. ^[9] He kicked a goal on debut and recorded thirteen disposals, seven hit outs and five tackles.

On the 25th of 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 August the 8th, the news broke and Crossley now faces a ban of up to four-years under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code. ^{[10] [11] [12]}

References

1. AFL (4 May 2018). "Brayden 'Goober' Crossley kicks his first goal! #AFLDogsSunspic.twitter.com/HSuL8BmkQV".
2. "Gold Coast ruckman Brayden Crossley wrestles with his future".
3. "Southport name another Crossley". www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au. 22 July 2016.
4. "Son of a gun gets a NEAFL gong". www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au. 18 May 2016.
5. "Gold Coast schools win three titles". www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au. 17 October 2016.
6. Footy, AFLQ School (16 October 2016). "Congratulations Brayden Crossley, PBC SHS! 2016 @BLK_SPORT #AFLQSCup Senior Male Best on Ground pic.twitter.com/hGlNHFhjVA".
7. "Crossley emerges as new AFL cult hero in Gold Coast Suns loss to Western Bulldogs".
8. "Rayner becomes new Lion King". NewsComAu. 24 November 2017.
9. "Two debutants confirmed for Ballarat". goldcoastfc.com.au.
10. "Brayden Crossley positive drug test, AFL 2019, cocaine ban, Gold Coast forward facing four-year ban, ASADA investigation". Fox Sports. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
11. "Suns youngster facing four-year drug ban". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
12. "Brayden Crossley Club Statement". goldcoastfc.com.au. Retrieved 1 October 2019.

External links

• Brayden Crossley's profile on the official website of the Gold Coast Football Club
• Brayden Crossley's playing statistics from AFL Tables