Bradley Enjoying his Time at Tigerland

Claremont’s Kepler Bradley is having a big effect in his first season with the Tigers – both on and off the field.

Not only has the former West Perth, Essendon, Fremantle and Peel Thunder player taken 101 marks (mostly contested) and kicked 22 goals thus far, he’s also flourishing in his role as “Player Development Officer” and confirmed he’ll play on in 2016.

“I try and help the guys who are coming from The Kimberley or Albany settle in Perth and also the guys who are coming out of school – I try and help them find employment,” Bradley told 91.3 Sport FM’s Sports Breakfast.

“I’ll go through a few of the guys’ tapes and have a few meetings with AFL sides and I’m just trying to help make the AFL dream possible (for them).

“It’s been a really good transition for me and that’s why I want to play for Claremont.

“I’ll play next year to repay them (the club) and show my appreciation for them giving me the role.”

In a blow to the Tigers’ chances of defeating East Fremantle on Saturday afternoon at the Show Grounds, Bradley suffered a hamstring injury early in the round-20 loss to East Perth and didn’t return to the field after quarter-time.

“I did about four of five hamstrings last year and this was the first symptom I had felt,” Bradley said.

“I just twinged it a little bit when I was going for the ball – I don’t think I’ve torn it – it’s just severely tight.

“I’ll miss this week and hopefully be right for Swan Districts (round 22).”

Not only will the four points be vital for the sixth-placed Tigers if they are to stay in touch with the top five with just three rounds remaining, a four-quarter performance is something the team has been struggling for in 2015.

“We seem to start games off pretty well, but there’s certain teams who pip us at the end of the game,” Bradley said.

“We’ve got a pretty young side and sides have been overrunning us, but we’ve been in pretty good form and we know that we can beat any team on any given day if we play our best football.”

With away games against Swan Districts and West Perth in the final two rounds, the Tigers cannot afford any slip up against the Sharks.

“(It’s a) very important game against East Fremantle – they probably haven’t had the best year going around, but we can’t take them lightly and hopefully, not looking too far ahead, if we can beat them, it’s going to be, basically our first final next week against Swan Districts,” Bradley said.

Bounce down is at 2.15pm.