Troy Broadbridge

DOB: 5 October, 1980
Died: 26 December, 2004

Debut: Round 8, 2001 against Essendon at MCG
Last Game: Elimination Final 2004 against Essendon at MCG

Games: 40
Goals: 2
Career Statistics (external link)

Wins	Draws	Losses	Winning %
20	0	20	50.00

From: Port Adelaide Magpies, Selection 12 1998 Rookie Draft

Number: 20 2001-2004

Despite being from a football family, his dad Wayne played 130 games with Port Adelaide, it took a long time for the former national 400m junior bronze medallist to chose football over athletics and basketball. Despite his love of athletics and third place finish in the nations, Broadbridge was still four seconds shy of the time needed to qualify for the Olympics and decided to give football a try instead.

Once he made the switch, playing for the same club as his dad, he came on in leaps and bounds and was rookie listed by the Demons at the end of 1998, where he was given jumper number 50. Despite a disappointing first year where he played just six games in the reserves due to a shoulder injury, Broadbridge was elevated from the rookie list before Round 22, 2000 to replace Luke Ottens who had gone onto the long term injury list. He didn't make his debut until the next season, but in the meantime played in the 2000 Sandringham premiership side.

Debuting in 2001 he was voted the Most Improved Player of the year and played 11 games at the end of that season. Broadbridge played 14 games in his second season but suffered a serious knee injury during the Round 18, 2002 match against Richmond and was forced out of football for the rest of the year. His 2003 return was hampered by a shoulder injury, and when he returned through the VFL he injured his shoulder again and failed to play a senior match for the season.

The defender broke back into the side in 2004 and completed his best stretch of football, culminating in a finals appearance against Essendon. It was to be his last game.

In December 2006 he married his wife Trisha on Phi Phi Island, Thailand but was caught up in the Indian Ocean tsunami and swept out to sea just eight days later.

The Round 1, 2005 clash was dedicated as a tribute to Troy's memory. His widow put together the concept for the Broadbridge Education Centre on Phi Phi Island, and it was constructed by his ex-teammates in his memory. His number 20 jersey number was retired for two years after his passing.