Brendon Lade

Brendon Lade (born 10 July 1976 on Kangaroo Island, Australia) is a former Australian rules footballer who spent his entire AFL career with the Port Adelaide Football Club.

AFL career

Early Career (1992–1999)

Lade grew up playing football for Western Districts Football Club on Kangaroo Island where his Dad was coaching the A grade side. At the age of 8 he moved to the Wisanger Football Club where he played the remainder of his football until he turned 16. Able to play as both a relieving ruckman and forward, Lade was part of Port Adelaide's inaugural AFL side in Round 1, 1997.

Injury (2000–2001)

He missed just one game in his first 3 years before he suffered a serious leg injury in Round 2 of 2000 which sidelined him for the rest of the season and also missed the entire 2001 season after reinjuring it. But he recovered from the injuries to become one of the best ruckmen in the league.

Career high (2004–2009)

In 2004 he had a great year, leading the hitouts in the absence of injured ruckman Matthew Primus, finishing second in the goalkicking to Warren Tredrea, and capping it all off with a 2004 premiership medal. In 2006 Lade won All-Australian selection and also took out the John Cahill Medal, Port Adelaide's Best and Fairest. In 2007 Lade has continued his career best form winning another All-Australia selection, earning him a rare 2 year contract with the Power for a 31 year old and ensuring he would be with the Power until the end of the 2009...
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