Bradley John Hardie (born 10 October 1962) is a former Australian rules footballer who represented , , and in the Australian Football League (AFL) as well as in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). Stocky built with bright red hair, Hardie was a versatile, attacking footballer who could play either as a forward or a defender; he won the game's highest individual honour, the Brownlow Medal, playing in the back pocket, but also led the goalkicking at Brisbane and South Fremantle.
Early life
Hardie was born in East Fremantle, Western Australia. At the age of 15, he suffered burns to 45 percent of his body in a backyard accident. Throughout his playing career, Hardie wore long sleeves to hide the burn scars.
Playing career
South Fremantle
Hardie made his league debut for South Fremantle Football Club in the WAFL in 1979 as a 16-year-old. The following year he was a member of their premiership team. Starting the game on the interchange bench, he was a major contributor with three goals.
In 1982 Hardie was awarded the AW Walker Medal for the fairest and best player for South Fremantle. In 1984 Hardie was appointed captain of South Fremantle and also was the equal leading goalkicker. Representing Western Australia, he won both the Simpson Medal for the best player in the WA vs Victoria State of Origin game and the Tassie Medal for the best player in the State of Origin series and was named in the Australian side that toured Ireland. He would repeat each of these feats in 1986. He is the only player to be awarded two Tassie Medals.
Footscray
After 140 games for South Fremantle, he transferred to the Victorian Football League (VFL) to play for in 1985. He claimed the Brownlow Medal, only the second player since Haydn Bunton Sr. to win the award in his first VFL season, and the third West Australian after Graham Moss and Ross Glendinning.
Hardie's free-running style of play did not always sit well with Footscray coach Mick Malthouse, a disciplinarian who favoured teamwork over individual skill. There were signs of trouble between them during the Round 16 match against at the Western Oval when Hardie was ordered to the bench during the second quarter. Richmond had employed a blocking strategy to cut off his attacking play from defence, which saw the Tigers take a three-point lead into the half-time break. However, Hardie was returned to the field in the third quarter and ended up being among Footscray's best in a 27-point win. Things came to a head during Footscray's Round 21 match against at VFL Park. During the third quarter, Footscray coach Malthouse ordered Hardie off the field, reportedly frustrated with his lack of defensive accountability on his opponents. In response, Hardie took off his jumper and waved it defiantly at Malthouse. Footscray went on to lose the match by 79 points, which virtually ended their chances of participating in the finals series. Hardie left the ground straight after the game and was placed under a media ban by the club. He failed to attend a 10 a.m. training session the following day. That Monday, Hardie and Malthouse met for a two-hour discussion, after which Malthouse denied that there was a rift between him and Hardie. Hardie was selected to play against in what would turn out to be his last game for Footscray. The Hawks, eventual premiers that season, won by 70 points, bringing to a sorry end a season that had begun with great promise. From an individual perspective, Hardie had an outstanding season, winning his second Tassie Medal, Footscray's best and fairest and earning an All-Australian selection. But by October, it was clear that Hardie had fallen out with Malthouse, and he publicly vowed not to play again for Footscray while Malthouse was coach. At the same time, Footscray were preparing to press charges against the newly formed over allegations that they were planning to "poach" Hardie. At the club's AGM in December, star full-forward Simon Beasley urged club members who were angry about Hardie's intended departure to think through the issue before becoming too emotionally involved. Beasley, for his part, supported Malthouse and felt that Hardie's actions were detrimental to team harmony.
Brisbane Bears
Rejecting an offer to return home and join the newly formed West Coast Eagles, he was one of the few big name signings for the Brisbane Bears in their inaugural season in 1987 and stayed with the club until 1991. He was leading goalkicker for the Bears in 1989 and 1990 and set a record of 9 goals in a game against Carlton in 1989. He was the first player to play 100 games for Brisbane.