AFL Draft Pick Me: Angus Brayshaw set to be part of dream draft package for Melbourne
PICK ME: BIG-BODIED midfielder Angus Brayshaw exudes leadership and is set to be part of a dream draft package for Melbourne.
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MELBOURNE is expected to draft the crash-and-bash midfield warrior that some recruiters believe deserves to be this year’s No.1 pick on Thursday night.
Angus Brayshaw will almost certainly be packaged up with either key forward Paddy McCartin or explosive midfielder Christian Petracca — whichever talent St Kilda doesn’t grab with the coveted first selection — in a dream one-two draft punch for the Demons.
AFL-READY PETRACCA PRIMED TO BE NO.1
McCARTIN KEEPS COOL AS DRAFT DAY LOOMS
The Saints decided between McCartin and Petracca last Wednesday, but it is the inside midfielder’s name who some clubs would call first.
“Brayshaw to me looks like the player who could stand up and get you home on a Friday night at the MCG in a preliminary final,” an AFL recruiter said.
“He’s got really strong leadership.”
Brayshaw’s TAC Cup numbers have almost mirrored Ollie Wines’ but the 2014 version has a more attacking edge, slotting 20 goals this year.
The son of AFL Coaches’ Association boss Mark Brayshaw and nephew of North Melbourne chairman James is a fan of Wines and has already won comparisons to Geelong superstar Joel Selwood.
And, like Wines did in his draft year, Brayshaw has an existing link to the Demons through his friendship with coach Paul Roos’ son Tyler, a Sandringham Dragons teammate.
Brayshaw said he was forced to “crash (Roos’) house” in September as Mark prepared to host a meeting attended by Nathan Buckley, Guy McKenna and Brendan McCartney as James Hird returned to the coaching caper.
Brayshaw, studying commerce-engineering, was born nine days too late for last year’s draft but is regarded as the safest selection this year with his big frame making him some experts’ early tip for next year’s Rising Star.
The Fremantle fan showed off his run-and-carry game in Vic Metro’s first game, gaining an impressive 737m from 32 disposals while Brayshaw has also tightened his 20m sprint times to 2.81sec.
“The small part I’ve had to do with (Paul Roos) this year, he’s been incredible and really cares about his players,” Brayshaw said.
“I’d very lucky (to play under him) and hopefully it happens. We’ll wait and see.”
Dragons talent manager Ryan O’Connor says Brayshaw could have played AFL this year.
“There’s something he does in every match that’s an outstanding effort and we’ve come to expect that of him,” he said.
Brayshaw averaged six tackles and clearances this year with his highlights reel littered with inspirational smothers, clean disposals and brutal tackles.
“I was brought up with three brothers so everything has been a competition and that’s translated to my footy,” Brayshaw said.
“And the way the game is going towards the bigger-bodied midfielders is probably another way I see myself fitting in.”
Brayshaw tapped into his deep family contact list in pre-season, when Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson — a former teammate of father Mark — helped map out his running and strength training.
Brayshaw then spent a week with Melbourne as part of the AIS-AFL Academy, an intensity so high Brayshaw would return from training to sleep, wake for dinner and then go back to bed.
He also sought out former No.1 pick Lachie Whitfield for advice on being tagged this year, while McKenna has also imparted advice.
“I’m very, very lucky that dad’s picked up a job. Hopefully he keeps it,” Brayshaw said.
ANGUS BRAYSHAW
AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 187cm
WEIGHT: 86kg
CLUB: Sandringham Dragons
POSITION: Inside midfielder
SUPERCOACH AVG: 133 points
PLAYS LIKE: Joel Selwood
PREDICTED DRAFT RANGE: 2-3
IN THE MIX: Melbourne (2/3)
Originally published as AFL Draft Pick Me: Angus Brayshaw set to be part of dream draft package for Melbourne
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