Brayden Crossley could become second Southport player added to an AFL list in historic off-season

Southport ruckman Brayden Crossley is out to follow in the footsteps of teammate Ben Jepson and earn an AFL list spot. What it means to the club and why he’s ready.

Brayden Crossley of the Sharks in action during the 2024 VFL First Semi Final match between the Geelong Cats and Southport Sharks. (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Premier VFL ruckman Brayden Crossley is out to follow in the footsteps of Southport teammate Ben Jepson and earn an AFL list spot in the coming weeks.

Crossley has been offered the opportunity to feature in the Western Bulldogs intraclub match at Maroochydore on Sunday, an opportunity which could lead to a list spot via the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).

The news came just 24 hours after Jepson was added to the Gold Coast Suns list via the SSP, and is a testament to the Sharks VFL program which reached the grand final for the second time in three years in 2024.

“His finals series was outstanding, I’m not surprised the Bulldogs are having a look because in the preliminary final against the Bulldogs he had 71 hit outs that day,” said Southport general manager of football operations Jarrod Field.

“(The preliminary final) was probably his best performance of the year, it’s a great opportunity for him and I’m sure he’ll acquit himself well on Sunday.”

Crossley has been one of the VFL’s top ruckman for a number of years now, and represented the league against the SANFL in last year’s representative match.

Brayden Crossley from Victoria reacts after scoring a goal during the AAMI State game between South Australia and Victoria at Glenelg Stadium in Adelaide. (SANFL Image/David Mariuz)

He previously played 10 AFL games for the Gold Coast Suns but fell out of the AFL system in 2019 after receiving a 12-month anti-doping suspension.

Field lauded Crossley for his VFL finals series as a whole in 2024, with a number of standout performances spearheading the Sharks grand final charge.

“To finish the year in the biggest games with great performances like that was a huge tick,” Field said.

“He’s in the top couple (of ruckmen) in the VFL, he’s ready for another crack at it and hopefully the Bulldogs see fit to give him another opportunity.”

Werribee vs. Southport at Ikon Park, VFL grand final. Southport ruckman Brayden Crossley wins the ruck hit out over Sam Conway. Pic: Michael Klein.

If Crossley were to earn an AFL list spot this season, it would leave Southport with a considerable hole to fill but Field maintained the Sharks were well-placed to cover for the loss of the 25-year-old should an AFL opportunity eventuate.

“Our ruck stocks are pretty good, we’ve got another couple of guys on the list that can do the job,” he said.

Premier QAFL ruckman Riley Bowman, who has represented Queensland against Tasmania is waiting in the wings, while the Sharks also added Marcus Khoo, who spent last season in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley league.

“He’s a very good QAFL player looking to take next step into VFL,” Field said of Bowman.

Jepson will now join Carey Grammar teammates Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson on Gold Coast’s list this year. He came to Southport in 2024 after three seasons with Coburg.

“(Jepson’s) had a super year … he’s ready for AFL footy and capable of playing AFL footy,” Field said.

“We’re wrapped he’s got an opportunity and I’m sure he’ll make the most of it.

“He’s a great kick, his composure’s first class, he makes good decisions with the footy, as a defender he defends well but his offence is outstanding.”

Originally published as Brayden Crossley could become second Southport player added to an AFL list in historic off-season