Kristian Bardsley

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Kristian Bardsley (born 13 September 1972) is a former Australian rules football player. He started with Scoresby and later played in the AFL for North Melbourne and St Kilda. He was originally known as Kristian Anning and changed his name after moving to St Kilda. He is 172 cm tall and weighed 77 kg during his playing days.

Bardsley joined North Melbourne before the 1992 season and debuted against Richmond in Round 2. He played five games and kicked four goals for the Kangaroos from 1992 to 1993 before being delisted.

In 1994 he was picked by St Kilda in the pre-season draft (pick 34). He had early success, playing 15 games in 1994, 16 in 1995, and 18 in 1996. In 1996, during a match against Geelong, he was struck on the jaw by Gary Ablett, requiring 18 stitches, but he returned to play two weeks later. After limited opportunities due to injury and form, he played three games in 1997 and one in 1998 before being delisted.

In 1999 he played for Springvale in the Victorian Football League, helping them win a premiership, though he was knocked unconscious early in the grand final. He later played four seasons while coaching Scoresby, retiring from playing in 2006.

From 2003 to 2022, Bardsley coached Scoresby in the Eastern Football League, winning the Division Two premiership in 2006.