Brayden Crossley

Brayden Crossley (born 16 August 1999) is an Australian rules footballer and the current co-captain of the Southport Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL), serving alongside Jacob Dawson. He previously played for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL).^[2]

Brayden Crossley
Crossley in 2025
Personal information
Full name	Brayden Crossley
Nickname(s)	Goober[1]
Date of birth	(1999-08-16) 16 August 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth	Gold Coast, Queensland
Original team(s)	Palm Beach Currumbin (QAFL)
Draft	No. 52, 2017 national draft
Height	198 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Weight	102 kg (225 lb)
Position(s)	Key forward / ruckman
Club information
Current club	Southport
Number	20
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2018–2019	Gold Coast	10 (5)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2019.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

Crossley was born and raised on the Gold Coast. His father, Troy, is a Southport Sharks dual premiership player and Hall of Fame inductee.^[3][4][5] Brayden grew up playing his junior football for the Burleigh Bombers before switching to Palm Beach Currumbin in the latter stages of his junior football. He attended Palm Beach Currumbin High School throughout his youth and joined Gold Coast Suns Academy in his teenage years. In October 2016, Crossley played a starring role for his high school when he led them to victory in the Queensland Schools Cup grand final^[6] and was subsequently named best on ground for his three-goal performance.^[7]

In his final year of junior football, Crossley was selected to represent the Gold Coast in the Academy Series and the Allies in the 2017 AFL Under 18 Championships. He was subsequently named the Allies' MVP^[8] and the All-Australian ruckman. In November 2017, he was drafted by the Gold Coast Football Club with pick 52 in the 2017 AFL draft.^[9]

AFL career

Crossley playing for Southport in the 2024 VFL Grand Final

Crossley made his AFL debut in round 7 of the 2018 AFL season against the Western Bulldogs.^[10] He kicked a goal on debut and recorded thirteen disposals, seven hit outs and five tackles.^{[citation needed]}

On 25 May 2019, Crossley tested positive to cocaine by ASADA on a match day ahead of a NEAFL game between Gold Coast Suns and the Sydney Swans, in which he played in and kicked two goals.^{[citation needed]}

On 8 August, the news broke and Crossley now faces a ban of up to four-years under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.^[11][12][13]

Crossley played for Southport in the club's six-point 2024 VFL grand final loss to Werribee.^[14][15]