Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Bradley Pearce

Known as
Brad Pearce

Born
16 August 1971 (age 52)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 21y 357d
Last game: 28y 5d

Height and weight
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 85 kg

Senior clubs
Brisbane; Carlton

Jumper numbers
Brisbane: 13
Carlton: 19

Recruited from
Brisbane (1994)

Brad Pearce

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
BrisbaneAFL1993210.500%3.001.500.500
CarltonAFL1994-1999771511.9658%7.531.573.886
AFL1993-1999791521.9257%7.421.573.806
Total1993-1999791521.9257%7.421.573.806

AFL: 10,450th player to appear, 3,057th most games played, 638th most goals kickedBrisbane: 119th player to appear, 324th most games played, 277th most goals kickedCarlton: 999th player to appear, 238th most games played, 47th most goals kicked

A straight kicking left footer who combined agility with tremendous pace on the lead and strong hands, Brad Pearce survived football’s scrapheap to become an elite level premiership player. His ability to make telling leads into space followed by safe marks either on the chest or overhead, and, as often as not, accurate shots for goal, marked him out as a special talent, but it was a long time manifesting itself.

Initially he tried out with St Kilda, only to be discarded without having played a senior game, He spent the 1992 season bolstering his confidence while playing for TFL Statewide club South Launceston, where he was sufficiently impressive to be drafted by Brisbane. He was not a success with the Bears, however, playing just twice, and recording one goal. To be fair, he had injury problems, but there were also question marks over his commitment.

After leaving the Bears at the end of the 1993 season he was picked up by Carlton where, initially at least, he again seemed lacking in commitment. However, through raw determination he turned things round, and in 1995 enjoyed a stellar season, kicking 52 goals, including four from limited opportunities in the Blues’ grand final demolition of Geelong.

After that, his best form was displayed only sporadically, at least in part because of illness and injury. From 1994 to 1999 he played 77 AFL games and registered 151 goals for Carlton. He finished his playing career in 2000 back in the TFL Statewide competition, albeit this time with Burnie Dockers, who were being coached by former Collingwood and Carlton player Mick McGuane.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Publications

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.