19 May 2001
Give some thought to the unusual. Outside the pattern. If you're talking movies certain titles spring to mind: 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes' and 'Plan Nine from Outer Space' and 'Lair of the White Worm' and 'Surf Nazis Must Die' and 'I woke up Early the Day I Died'.
As far as football goes one of the classic outer limits careers belonged to Brady Anderson.Brade was like the 1974 left of centre picture 'Dark Star'. He was a brilliant winger/half forward with East Perth. Geelong can admit a soft spot for the Royals. The WAFL club has produced such champions as 'Polly' Farmer and John 'Killer' Watts both of whom appeared in the Pivotonians' last premiership. Gary Malarkey wore the black and blue before a glittering career at Kardinia Park. Joel Corey is the most recent East Perthite to wear the hoops.
The Cats secured Anderson with 1995 national draft pick 68.During the pre season BA displayed great form. He was quick, elusive and could deliver the ball well. Coach Gary Ayres envisaged his new guy as generating spark around half forward, somebody to be at the feet of big Barry. The Geelong hierarchy allocated Anderson the number 22 jumper. This double digit was something of the 1982 film 'Jinxed'. It had been worn by high flying but injury plagued Paul Jeffreys. Then came Stephen Sells and Gary Keane who crossed from Fitzroy but didn't play a senior game. Add to the mix Mark Neeld, a more than handy utility who suffered a chronic back injury.
Brady Anderson played some good football during 1995. But it was all in the reserves. He exhibited a tonne of dash and kilos of composure. Could boot a long goal or snap truly under pressure. He supplied more of the same through 1996 also at seconds level. Ando was delisted at the end of '96 and returned to WA to continue his career at East Perth. Brady's bunch of 1997 games was sparkalarkalarkaling. Racked up 40 touches a game. He was clearly the comp's best player. The year ended in controversy when it transpired Anderson was told he had won the Sandover Medal on the eve of the count.
The bizarre situation had a fantasy quality like 'The Zombies of Maura Tau'. It was Billy Crystal clear that BA would have another crack at the AFL.
Enter Denis Pagan famous for reviving the careers of forgotten footballers such as Jason McCartney and Shane Clayton and Winston Abraham. The Kangaroos picked up Anderson with 1998 pre season selection 10. He took over number 14, once worn by Phil Kelly also a Sandover Medallist from East Perth. Ben Buckley and Matthew Armstrong were also one and fours. Anderson performed solidly in the Kangaroos' 1998 Ansett Cup grand final victory over St Kilda. Brady Boy played well in the difficult 1998 round 3 night game v. Port Adelaide at Footy Park. Twice in the the second quarter the new Roo overlapped in the middle and had the effect of that 1983 classic 'Timerider' to deliver the ball to Harvey who played on and goaled. Kangas won 15.8 to 10.9.
Ando had games in the twos that year and into 1999. But he bounced back for 1999 round 16 against Geelong at the SCG. On the postcard sized ground it was a high scoring affair. Early in the third, he drifted forward as the ball was kicked high Careywards. Brade read the ball off the pack, eluded a tackle and snapped a goal over his left shoulder. The Cats got wallpapered 22.11 to 13.10. Brady played 10 senior games that season.
At the end of the year Brady Anderson was dropped off the Kangaroos' list. He had 27 games between 1998 and 2000. Ando returned to WA. A 'Star Kid', that film from 1998.