Brad Close at his peak was one of the most damaging half forward flankers in the league, an early pioneer of the high half forward role where players perform wind sprints up and down the ground to draw defenders out of their structured zones. In recent years his workrate has dropped off as his fitness and age factors told, with Gryan Miers now firmly in the #1 spot on the depth chart at that specialised position. With Tyson Stengle out through injury, his role may start deeper than ever before as the Cats need a crumber at the base of packs inside 50.
Brad Close at his peak was one of the most damaging half forward flankers in the league, an early pioneer of the high half forward role where players perform wind sprints up and down the ground to draw defenders out of their structured zones. In recent years his workrate has dropped off as his fitness and age factors told, with Gryan Miers now firmly in the #1 spot on the depth chart at that specialised position. With Tyson Stengle out through injury, his role may start deeper than ever before as the Cats need a crumber at the base of packs inside 50.
Brad Close used to be the man at Geelong who you wanted with ball in hand looking inside 50 for a pass target, particularly prominent in Geelong's flag run a few years ago. Since then his form has waned along with the team, correlating also with Gryan Miers' rise to fill that goal assist specialist role. He has had a few games this season which brought back visions of his best form, and others where he failed to impress. He is not a talisman in this 22 at this point, more of a wind vane whose form is reliant on those around him. For fantasy use, his scoring is painfully variable.
Close has long journey
Averaging 16 touches and 70 fantasy points in the SANFL while rotating wing and forward, Bradley Close is touted as a natural goalsneak with really quick hands. Simply put, the Glenelg recruit won't be featured in any senior capacity this year, so focus your attention elsewhere.
