Advertisement

AFL world left gutted for Angus Brayshaw after 'heartbreaking' moment at Brownlow Medal

Brayshaw delivered a heartbreaking speech about what he's learned since being forced to retire from the game.

ben talintyre
Sports Reporter
·5-min read

Retired Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw has given an emotional farewell to the retiring class of 2024 at the Brownlow Medal ceremony, after being forced to hang up the boots himself earlier this year. Brayshaw suffered several concussions early in his AFL career but hadn't had any for six years until late in 2023.

The 28-year-old was knocked unconscious by Brayden Maynard in Melbourne's clash with Collingwood in the first week of last year's AFL finals after Maynard jumped to smother the ball and his shoulder connected with Brayshaw's head. Following that blow Brayshaw received medical advice that for his health he should call time on his career, something he reluctantly announced earlier this year.

Angus Brayshaw at the Brownlow Medal.
Angus Brayshaw at the Brownlow Medal in 2022 (L) and in 2024 (R). Image: Getty

Speaking at the Brownlow Medal ceremony on Monday night, Brayshaw toasted those whose 2024 season looks all but certain their last at the top level, praising his fellow retirees in an emotional speech. "It’s certainly not lost in me that I’m making a toast to a group to which I now belong, which is a bit awkward but it is an honour to do so nonetheless," Brayshaw began.

"It’s been about eight months since I was medically retired, and just over a year since I played my last game of AFL - so I had a little bit of a head start on the rest of the retirees. But I’m not going to lie, the absence of football has left a very deep void. Days that were planned to the minute and filled with purpose need to be replaced, and in time they will be.

"We, the retiring class of 2024, should be incredibly proud. We all achieved our dreams to varying degrees, which is a privilege we should never lose sight of. Equally as important is casting an eye to the future and the truth, surprisingly, is that there's a life after football - which is a relief."

Pictured Angus Brayshaw
Addressing the retiring AFL cohort of 2024, Angus Brayshaw delivered a heartbreaking speech about what he's learned since being forced to retire from the game. Image: Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Angus Brayshaw of the Demons lays on the ground knocked out during the AFL First Qualifying Final match between Collingwood Magpies and Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 07, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Angus Brayshaw was forced to retire after being knocked unconscious by Brayden Maynard in Melbourne's clash with Collingwood in the first week of last year's AFL finals. Image: Getty

The AFL website states 22 players have announced their retirements so far in 2024, with Geelong legend Tom Hawkins being the most capped player. But Brayshaw also noted that this year's retirees also include Western Bulldogs teenager Aiden O'Driscoll, who like Brayshaw had to retire on medical grounds because of concussion - but it happened before he could make his AFL debut.

"Whether you’re Dustin Martin - who I checked before I came up here, and he’s still officially retired - he’s won every single award that’s available to win for a player," Brayshaw continued. "Or whether you’re a kid like Aiden O’Driscoll, who was a young man who had dreams of doing what Dusty did — but unfortunately he was medically retired from concussion in his first pre-season. We, the retiring class of 2024, should be incredibly proud."

The former Melbourne star said while the transition to life after football is tough there is still plenty of good time ahead. "I hope that we’ve brought pride and joy to our families, our friends, our loved ones, our teammates, our clubs and also to many fans," Brayshaw said.

"We all achieved our dreams to varying degrees, which is a privilege that we should never lose sight of. Equally as important, is casting an eye to the future — and the truth, surprisingly, is that there is a life after football, which is a relief."

RELATED:

Brayshaw said he had a "head start" on the other retirees from the 2024 season as he discussed the raw emotions around no longer playing. "Even how well you prepared for the next stage, the transition is difficult and there seems no easy way around it," he said. "But the virtues that football has instilled in us, will hold us in good stead for what's to come."

AFL fans heaped praise on Brayshaw's moving speech, stating it was one of the best ever given at the league's night of nights. However many expressed their heartache that the 28-year-old isn't still playing like he would want to be.

with AAP