Bradley Clyde (born 27 January 1970) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s who, at the peak of his playing career was widely acknowledged as the best lock forward in the game.^{[citation needed]}. He represented both New South Wales and played for the Australian national side, and played his club football in Australia for the Canberra Raiders and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, and in England for Leeds Rhinos.

[edit] Club career

He began his football career playing in the local ACT competition for the Belconnen United Panthers and was an Australian Schoolboy Representative in 1985,1986 and 1987. In 1988 he was graded by the Canberra Raiders, winning the club's rookie of the year award, and soon established himself as an indispensable player for the club.

While attending Hawker College, Clyde played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1986 and 1987.^[1]

In a career spanning eleven seasons with the Raiders, Clyde scored 39 tries in a total of 178 games. He played in three Grand finals and was the recipient of the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal for the Best and Fairest Player in the Grand Final twice - the only player in history to do so. Along with Brad Mackay he is one of only two players to win the Churchill medal whilst on a losing Grand Final side. He was also a member of Canberra's premiership winning sides of 1989 (also winning the club's player of the year award that year) and 1994.

Clyde moved from the Raiders to the Bulldogs in 1999, playing with the team until 2000, scoring 8 tries.

English Super League club Leeds Rhinos signed Clyde on a two-year deal starting in 2001.^[2] He moved to the club alongside fellow Australians Brett Mullins and Tonie Carroll, finishing his playing career there.

[edit] Representative career

He made 12 appearances for New South Wales in State of Origin games between 1989 and 1994 at lock forward. He performed with great distinction at this level with his devastating charges and tireless work ethic. Tall, strong and agile he was a nightmare to defend against and was a key member of the successful Blues sides of the early 1990s. It was during this period that Clyde was considered the number one player in the game.

He represented the Kangaroos in eighteen Tests over five years scoring six tries. He was named Man-of-the Series in 1989 with his debut tour v New Zealand. He vice-captained the team for the Tour of Papua New Guinea in 1991 and was named Man of the Series also. In the 1992 Ashes Series against Great Britain, Clyde was awarded with the Harry Sunderland Medal for the Player of the Series. He played two Superleague Tests for Australia in 1997 along with three Tri-series matches that year.

Bradley Clyde is currently the Football Manager at the Bulldogs Rugby League Club. Within this role he manages the Football Department of the Club consisting of recruitment, operations, development, medical, contractual arrangements plus education and welfare.

[edit] Post-playing

Clyde is an inductee into the ACT Sport Hall of Fame. He was recognised by the Australian Government for his contribution to Rugby League by being awarded the Australian Sports Medal.

In 2002 Clyde was named in a 90s Team of the Decade. In 2005 on the 25th anniversary of State of Origin he was named by Rugby League Week as one of NSW's 25 greatest players.

Clyde also made a cameo appearance in the 2006 film, Footy Legends.^[3]

In February 2008, Clyde was named in the list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players (1908-2007) which was commissioned by the NRL and ARL to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia.^[4]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Bradley Clyde at stateoforigin.com.au
• ACT Sport Hall of Fame
• Profile at leedsrugby