Roos full forward, Kaelan Bradtke (left) has committed another two years to Corowa Rutherglen, the club he says shaped the career that took him from junior footy to the AFL.
Kaelan Bradtke says he owes Corowa Rutherglen plenty, and now the Roos full forward wants to repay the club that helped shape his football career.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Bradtke has signed a two-year extension that will keep him at the Roos until the end of 2028, continuing a journey that has taken him from Corowa junior to AFL-listed player and back to the club where it all began.
His family ties to Corowa run deep on his mother’s side, with his connection to the club stretching back to his grandfather, John Lane.
Bradtke has also shared the field with cousins Jy and Jarred Lane.
“I probably wouldn’t have anything I have now if it wasn’t for the football club, and I reckon I want to be involved in helping the club return to success,” Bradtke said.
That desire to give back has taken on greater meaning since his return to the Roos at the start of 2025.
Bradtke was picked up by Richmond Football Club in the 2023 pre-season supplemental selection period.
Photo by
Richmond Football Club
After a breakout 2022 season under Peter German, Bradtke gained experience with the Sydney Swans VFL side before being picked up by Richmond in the 2023 pre-season supplemental selection period.
His time with the Tigers lasted just 12 months, but Bradtke returned to Corowa Rutherglen with lessons from his time in the AFL system.
“Recognising the moments within the game that you can control; it’s probably the biggest thing that I learnt,” he said.
Bradtke put those lessons to work immediately, booting 62 goals in his first season back with the Roos and claiming the Doug Strang Medal, becoming the first Corowa Rutherglen player to win the award since Lee Schmidt in 2008.
His form also earned the respect of his teammates, who voted him into the club’s leadership group in 2026.
Club co-president Beau Longmire said Bradtke had grown through every level of the club before returning to make an impact at senior level.
“We are thrilled to have Kaelan commit to the Roos for the next two seasons,” Longmire said.
“KB has grown up in our club, worked his way all the way to an AFL list, before returning to the Roos at the start of 2025.”
Bradtke has since embraced a leadership role in the Roos’ forward line, with much of his focus on developing the next generation of Corowa Rutherglen forwards.
Among them is Deagan Purcell, who Bradtke believes has the potential to go further than he did at the same age.
“It’s exciting; Deagan’s a lot better than what I was at his age,” Bradtke said.
“Hopefully, he can continue and go on an upward trajectory and go somewhere with his footy.”
Kaelan Bradtke was the Doug Strang Medallist for 2025 with 62 goals.
With Izzak Twelvetree sidelined by a season-ending injury before Round 1, Bradtke and Purcell have shouldered much of the responsibility in attack.
The pair combined for 71 goals this season, becoming the first Roos duo since 2008 to kick more than 30 goals in a season.
Bradtke’s also paid tribute to outgoing coach Daryn Cresswell and his ability to simplify the game for his players.
“He’s probably one of the best opposition analysts in local footy,” he said.
“He has an ability to take away opponents’ strengths and identify their weaknesses.
“You don’t have to have the greatest football IQ to understand what he is saying.”
The Roos now head into 2027 with Bradtke at the heart of a group that is beginning to take shape.
Will Chandler, Deagan Purcell, Jayden Forge, Joe Hansen and Will Axleby have also recommitted to the club, while Lee Schmidt and Sam Carpenter have been named as thirds co-coaches.
For Bradtke, however, his decision to stay is about more than what comes next on the football field.
For a player who has experienced the highs of an AFL list and returned to the place where his football journey began, there may be no better way to give back than helping the Roos chase their next chapter of success.
12°C