How Good Is Bradd Dalziell.

In many ways, the Bradd Dalziell story is like a fairytale: injury-plagued seasons, life-changing decisions and the fateful last throw of the dice. Then, of course, there’s the white knight who rides in to save the day.

Bradd Who?

If his name hasn’t set off sirens and flashing lights inside your head, it’s time to reacquaint yourself with the football world. Having amassed 32 possessions in his AFL debut against the West Coast Eagles in Round 16 last season (beating Paul Hasleby’s previous record of 30 by a debutant), Dalziell backed it up in ensuing rounds, taking his average possessions per game to 26.4 by season’s end. In a sport which monitors stats closer than any other, those numbers are good enough to earn yourself a tagger. His efforts were duly rewarded with a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in Round 21.Dalziell isn’t alone when he labels himself a natural runner. He has an engine Holden would be proud to promote and a work ethic that’ll make any coach nod with approval. He’s also the proud owner of the Lions’ beep test record, which he nabbed from fellow midfielder Simon Black last season.

Who’s he like?

He’s demonstrated a penchant for racking up possessions and he has legs that’ll carry him all day long. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? On face value it appears as though Dalziell is the stereotypical Australian rules midfielder. But this game differs to that of his young counterparts in that he employs an understanding and intelligence beyond his years. He does the basics well – very well, in fact. Perhaps that’s why he’s adjusted seamlessly to the pace of the AFL.In terms of comparisons, one could say Dalziell has a nose for the ball just like former Carlton ball-magnet Greg Williams. Ask Dalziell himself and he’d love to say he plays a bit like dual Brownlow medallist Robert Harvey, but he’s quick to concede he still has a long way to go yet. His long running and fitness are also reminiscent of Richmond recruit Ben Cousins. Like Cousins, Dalziell has the ability to run hard from one end of the ground to the other repeatedly, forcing his opponent to match his fitness.Down at the ‘Gabba, they’ve likened Dalziell to one of their former stars: triple premiership player Shaun Hart. Dalziell shares a lot of similarities with his midfield predecessor, including strong running ability, endurance and, of course, an ability to sniff out the ball.

What’s his story?

Onlookers have admired the ease and speed in which Dalziell has grasped the AFL language. But the road to the sport’s highest level has been far from a cruise-controlled joyride. Dalziell was brought up on cricket and Aussie rules, but it was the former that was originally Dalziell’s big love. Such was his prowess at the Gentlemen’s Game that he represented WA at under15, 17, and 19 levels.Dalziell slowly ventured across to rules and eventually found his way to East Fremantle, where he played his junior footy. At age 15, however, he suffered a knee injury and was forced to sit out the entire year.At 18, he made the tough decision to walk away from cricket and flew down to Windy Hill to team up with Essendon. His plans of securing a rookie position didn’t quite go accordingly; the Bombers didn’t hand him a contract. Enter the “crossroads” cliche … Dalziell opted to head back toWA and rejoined East Fremantle in the WAFL in a last-ditch effort to salvage his AFL dreams. Although enduring an injury-plagued season (he broke his arm and sat out halfof the campaign), Dalziell still managed to win the Best and Fairest award in the reserves grand final.He only made the three appearances for the senior team that season, however that counted for little when he caught the eye of Brisbane Lions’ WA recruiting assistant Graeme Hadley. Hadley saw Dalziell as an ideal mature age recruit, and the Lions’ hierarchy agreed as they used pick 52 in the 2007 AFL Draft to snap him up.

A “happily ever after” ending seems fitting here, but that’s for Dalziell to fill in.

– John Iannantuon

What do they say?