Brad Gotch
Encyclopedia
Bradley Gotch is a former Australian rules football
er who played for Fitzroy
and St. Kilda in the Victorian Football League
Gotch was one of smallest players of his era at 165cm and possessed an accurate left foot pass. Debuting in 1982
for Fitzroy, Gotch played thirty games in his first three years. In 1985
he played three games in the first six rounds before being delisted by Fitzroy and finishing the season with Port Adelaide
in the South Australian National Football League
(SANFL). After impressing at Port Adelaide, he returned to Melbourne
to play for the St Kilda Football Club. His best goal kicking feat was for St Kilda against his old side Fitzroy where he kicked seven goals in a game in 1987
. He finished his career playing local football for Dandenong Football Club
.
from 2002 to 2009, becoming the second-longest serving coach in the club's history, coaching the club to finals in 6 of the 8 years including the 2003 VFL premiership. He also worked in development coaching roles with both Collingwood
and the Western Bulldogs
alignments during those years. In 2010 Gotch was appointed senior coach of the Casey Scorpions
, taking over from Peter German
and joined Port Adelaide
as an assistant coach on October 19, 2011.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played for Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
and St. Kilda in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
Gotch was one of smallest players of his era at 165cm and possessed an accurate left foot pass. Debuting in 1982
1982 VFL season
The 86th Victorian Football League Premiership season commenced on 20 March 1982 and concluded on 25 September 1982 with Carlton winning their second consecutive Premiership against Richmond...
for Fitzroy, Gotch played thirty games in his first three years. In 1985
1985 VFL season
The 89th Victorian Football League Premiership season commenced in March 1985 and concluded on 28 September 1985 with Essendon winning their second consecutive Premiership in their third consecutive Grand Final battle with Hawthorn...
he played three games in the first six rounds before being delisted by Fitzroy and finishing the season with Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
in the South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
(SANFL). After impressing at Port Adelaide, he returned to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
to play for the St Kilda Football Club. His best goal kicking feat was for St Kilda against his old side Fitzroy where he kicked seven goals in a game in 1987
1987 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1987.-Night Series: defeated 8.10 to 8.6 in the Final at Waverley Park.-Leading goalkickers:...
. He finished his career playing local football for Dandenong Football Club
Dandenong Football Club
Dandenong Football Club was an Australian rules football club which played in the Victorian Football Association . Based in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong, the Redlegs wore navy blue and red as their club colours.-History:...
.
Coaching career
Gotch coached Williamstown in the VFLVFL
VFL can refer to:Sport* Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996....
from 2002 to 2009, becoming the second-longest serving coach in the club's history, coaching the club to finals in 6 of the 8 years including the 2003 VFL premiership. He also worked in development coaching roles with both Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and the Western Bulldogs
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
alignments during those years. In 2010 Gotch was appointed senior coach of the Casey Scorpions
Casey Scorpions
The Casey Scorpions Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the Victorian Football League . The club was founded in 1903 as the Springvale Football Club and played under the name Springvale. In its history it has won 21 premierships...
, taking over from Peter German
Peter German
Peter German is a former Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the AFL. He played 185 games with the club, mostly in the midfield....
and joined Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
as an assistant coach on October 19, 2011.