Brad Hardie

Bradley John Hardie (born 10 October 1962) is a former Australian rules footballer who represented Footscray, Brisbane Bears, and Collingwood in the Australian Football League (AFL) as well as South Fremantle 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.

Hardie was born in East Fremantle, Western Australia. At the age of 15, he suffered burns to 65 percent of his body in a backyard accident. Throughout his playing career, Hardie wore long sleeves to hide the burn scars.

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.