Bradley has played five senior games in his debut season with the Bombers – a respectable return for a young man who is still developing physically. He has shown glimpses of what the future might hold in those games and in between times has continually done the job for the Bendigo Bombers.
In last weekend’s Elimination Final, Bradley was among the Bombers best players, collecting 18 possessions, taking nine marks and kicking one goal. He played forward, back, in the ruck and on a wing and it might be that versatility that gets him the nod at the selection table this week.
""He has shown he is pretty adaptable in the VFL side. He even went onto a wing in the second half of that game and gave the side some real drive and that is a good sign for a kid who stands just under 200cm,"" Essendon assistant coach Dean Wallis said.
""Sheeds has shown in the past that he will pick the players that are in form and that he thinks can help us win a game of football – it doesn’t matter if it is a final or a home and away game. He might be looking at Kepler and a number of others will be in his thinking as well, you can be sure of that.""
Wallis felt Bradley would have the temperament to cope with the big occasion.
""He has got that laid back personality about him that lends itself to taking things in your stride,"" Wallis said. ""He is super competitive once he crosses the white line but he wouldn’t be stressed or overawed by being picked to play in an Elimination Final.""
""He has really embraced the club since he arrived here and the club has embraced him The older players speak very highly of him and he fits in well with those his own age. He can be a bit of a larrikan and I think the whole playing group enjoys that.""
