Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw retires from AFL on medical recommendation following concussion in finals collision with Brayden Maynard

Melbourne ahead Angus Brayshaw has retired from AFL on medical recommendation, after his concussion in final yr’s qualifying ultimate towards Collingwood.

The 28-year-old Brayshaw was making an attempt to kick downfield towards the Magpies when Brayden Maynard leaped within the air to spoil and collided with the Demons participant, who was knocked out and brought off the bottom on a stretcher.

The membership introduced on Thursday that neurological testing and skilled session had concluded that Brayshaw, a 2021 premiership participant, ought to be medically retired.

Brayshaw, who performed with a helmet, had a historical past of concussions. 

Brayshaw instructed his teammates of the choice on Thursday morning.

“I’m actually happy with what I’ve achieved over the previous decade. I’ve been capable of stay out my childhood dream and whereas it has been minimize brief, I’m endlessly grateful to everybody who has been concerned.

“I need to particularly thank my teammates, my coaches and the employees on the Melbourne Soccer Membership, for all they’ve executed for me over time.

“I additionally need to thank my household and my accomplice Danielle for his or her countless assist. To each member and fan, thanks to your unimaginable assist over the journey.

Collingwood’s Maynard was despatched on to the AFL tribunal over the hit which ended Brayshaw’s season.

Nevertheless after a four-hour listening to, the tribunal cleared him of a tough conduct cost. He went on to play in Collingwood’s grand ultimate win.

New AFL govt supervisor of soccer, Laura Kane, stated she was “not comfy” with the choice.

Earlier than the beginning of the 2024 season, the AFL introduced a change to the foundations, making it clear that gamers had a larger responsibility of care to keep away from making excessive contact with opponents whereas making an attempt to smother.

The brand new guidelines say that when a participant leaves the bottom making an attempt to smother, the participant’s act shall be deemed no less than to be careless until they’ve taken all affordable steps to keep away from contact or minimise the power of contact.

The AFL launched an announcement, supporting Brayshaw’s determination.

“Angus’s well being and wellbeing is of the upmost significance and his determination, made in session together with his medical group, is yet another brave act that Angus constantly demonstrated all through his embellished profession throughout 167 video games,” the AFL stated.

“Angus’s contribution to footy on the sphere is effectively documented and we sit up for his continued contribution to our recreation off the sphere within the coming years.

“We want Angus, Danielle, and their households all the perfect, and applaud Angus’s management in making this determination for himself, his household and his membership.”

Brayshaw has a powerful household historical past in Australian guidelines soccer.

His grandfather Ian performed within the WAFL for Claremont and received a premiership.

His father Mark additionally performed for Claremont, and performed 32 AFL video games for North Melbourne within the early Nineteen Nineties.

Brayshaw’s two brothers, Andrew and Hamish, are additionally footballers.

Andrew has performed 123 AFL video games for Fremantle, whereas Hamish was AFL-listed for the West Coast Eagles and performed one recreation — he now performs within the WAFL for East Perth.

The Dockers had been amongst these to place out messages of assist for Brayshaw on social media within the wake of the announcement.