Brendon Lade
Encyclopedia
Brendon Lade is a former Australian rules football
er who spent his entire AFL
career with the Port Adelaide Football Club
.
where his Dad was coaching the A grade side. At the age of 8 he moved to the Wisanger Football Club where he played the remainder of his football until he turned 16. Able to play as both a relieving ruckman
and forward
, Lade was part of Port Adelaide's inaugural AFL
side in Round 1, 1997.
injury in Round 2 of 2000 which sidelined him for the rest of the season and also missed the entire 2001 season after reinjuring it. But he recovered from the injuries to become one of the best ruckmen in the league.
, finishing second in the goalkicking to Warren Tredrea
, and capping it all off with a 2004 premiership medal. In 2006 Lade won All-Australian selection and also took out the John Cahill Medal
, Port Adelaide's Best and Fairest. In 2007 Lade has continued his career best form winning another All-Australia selection, earning him a rare 2 year contract with the Power for a 31 year old and ensuring he would be with the Power until the end of the 2009 season.
Lade retired at the end of the 2009 season. He and team-mate Peter Burgoyne
, the last remaining members of Port Adelaide's inaugural AFL team, both played their final games in Round 22, 2009.
to become the assistant of coach and former Port Adelaide teammate Damien Hardwick
.
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 spent his entire AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
career with the Port Adelaide Football Club
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...
.
Early Career (1992–1999)
Lade grew up playing football for Western Districts Football Club on Kangaroo IslandKangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island after Tasmania and Melville Island. It is southwest of Adelaide at the entrance of Gulf St Vincent. Its closest point to the mainland is off Cape Jervis, on the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula in the state of South Australia. The island is long...
where his Dad was coaching the A grade side. At the age of 8 he moved to the Wisanger Football Club where he played the remainder of his football until he turned 16. Able to play as both a relieving ruckman
Ruckman (Australian rules football position)
In Australian rules football, a ruckman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages . The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field...
and forward
Forward line
In Australian rules football, the forward line refers to a set of attacking positions on the field.The forward line consists of three players, a left and right forward pocket, and a full-forward. Up until approximately 20 years ago, the forward pockets were often the resting rover or ruckman...
, Lade was part of Port Adelaide's inaugural AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
side in Round 1, 1997.
Injury (2000–2001)
He missed just one game in his first 3 years before he suffered a serious legBroken Leg
Broken Leg is an indie rock song written and recorded by Australian indie rock band Bluejuice. The song was voted no. 5 in the 2009 Triple J Hottest 100. The accompanying music video was voted in at no. 1 on Rage's RAGE FIFTY countdown that was voted for by viewers and shown on the last weekend of...
injury in Round 2 of 2000 which sidelined him for the rest of the season and also missed the entire 2001 season after reinjuring it. But he recovered from the injuries to become one of the best ruckmen in the league.
Career high (2004–2009)
In 2004 he had a great year, leading the hitouts in the absence of injured ruckman Matthew PrimusMatthew Primus
Matthew Richard Primus is the current coach of the Port Adelaide Football Club and a former Australian rules footballer, captain and All Australian ruckman.-Early career :...
, finishing second in the goalkicking to Warren Tredrea
Warren Tredrea
Warren Gary Tredrea is retired Australian rules footballer with the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League . A forward, tall and weighing , Tredrea is the son of former Collingwood and Port Adelaide player Gary Tredrea.Tredrea was zone selected for the inaugural Port...
, and capping it all off with a 2004 premiership medal. In 2006 Lade won All-Australian selection and also took out the John Cahill Medal
John Cahill Medal
The John Cahill Medal, named after Port Adelaide Power's inaugural AFL coach John Cahill, is awarded to the Best and Fairest player every season for the Port Adelaide Football Club.-Recipients:-Multiple Recipients:...
, Port Adelaide's Best and Fairest. In 2007 Lade has continued his career best form winning another All-Australia selection, earning him a rare 2 year contract with the Power for a 31 year old and ensuring he would be with the Power until the end of the 2009 season.
Lade retired at the end of the 2009 season. He and team-mate Peter Burgoyne
Peter Burgoyne
Peter Gabriel Burgoyne is a former Australian rules footballer with Port Adelaide in the Australian Football League. He played primarily in midfield and on the half back flank.-Early life:...
, the last remaining members of Port Adelaide's inaugural AFL team, both played their final games in Round 22, 2009.
Coaching Career (2010–present)
After ending his 234-game AFL career, Lade joined RichmondRichmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
to become the assistant of coach and former Port Adelaide teammate Damien Hardwick
Damien Hardwick
Damien Patrick Hardwick is a former Australian rules footballer and the coach of the Richmond Football Club.-Early life:He attended St Joseph's College in Ferntree Gully.-AFL playing career:...
.