SuperCoach: Young Docker Andrew Brayshaw is exciting new coach Justin Longmuir as he eyes full-time midfield spot in 2020
In the lead-up to the launch of the AFL SuperCoach team-picker, The Phantom looks at five players who could breakout in 2020. Next is a Docker midfielder who is exciting his new coach
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“Someone like Andy Brayshaw has really excited me.”
No, this is not The Phantom quoting himself. Those are the words of new Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir.
“Not only in what he has delivered on the track but he can back in peak condition and improves his fitness from day one,” Longmuir continued on 6PR radio in Perth.
“He has been really impressive.”
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After finishing second to running-machine Brett Bewley in the club’s most-recent 2km time trial, the No. 2 pick from the 2017 draft has made an early impression on his new boss as he eyes a full-time midfield spot in 2020.
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PART 1: Chayce Jones - The Crow set for a midfield spike
PART 2: Hunter Clark - The Saint ready to make his run
THURSDAY: Is 22-year-old Sydney’s new stat king?
There were stints through the middle – and they increased last year with Brayshaw spending 56 per cent of game-time there - in his first two seasons in the competition but former coach Ross Lyon persisted with Brayshaw as a forward.
And for good reason, apart from not wanting to throw the prized early draft pick right into the heat of the battle.
In the TAC Cup – now known as the NAB League – Brayshaw averaged seven score involvements and a competition-high 2.2 score assists per game.
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But, despite his influence forward-of-centre, Brayshaw really made his name as a ball-winning midfielder at junior level.
The 20-year-old averaged 25 disposals, 12 contested possessions, eight handball-receives, seven tackles, five clearances and 131 SuperCoach points for Sandringham.
And he’s destined to do the same at the top-level – SuperCoaches are hoping so, anyway.
Brayshaw added 10 points to his SuperCoach average in 2019, after winning 20 disposals or more on eight occasions – a feat he achieved just three times in his debut season.
The well-balanced right-footer averaged 10 contested possessions in the final seven matches of the year, posting a score of 86 or more in four of them.
The highest – and first SuperCoach ton of his career – was against the Swans in Round 18.
Brayshaw tallied 20 disposals, 12 contested possessions, eight tackles, five inside 50s, three clearances and 116 points.
And it was the extra midfield responsibility, in the absence of captain Nat Fyfe, which drove Brayshaw’s performance.
Fyfe only missed the one match and will still, clearly, be the main man in 2020 but it showed the numbers Brayshaw might generate as his role in the Dockers’ side increases.
As it did following the win over the Swans with Brayshaw spending 77 per cent of the final five games in the middle, the launch pad for his 26-disposal, three-goal display in Round 19 against the Bulldogs.
After an impressive start to the summer, what also might increase is his game-time.
In his 37 senior appearances, Brayshaw is yet to spend 80 per cent of the game on ground.
Brayshaw was on the bench for at least 28 per cent of 14 of his 22 appearances in 2019.
Now The Phantom is excited.
ANDREW BRAYSHAW
2020 position: Forward/Midfielder
Estimated price: $380,000
The Phantom’s predicted 2020 average: 92
2019
Disposals: 17
SuperCoach: 70
2018
Disposals: 16
SuperCoach: 60
CAN WE START HIM?
Third year. More midfield minutes. Dual-position status. Sub $400k price-tag. It all points a pretty emphatic yes. But how many mid-pricers can you start in the forward-line? Will his output be greater than Saint-turned-Cat Jack Steven, who will be available at a similar price?
Originally published as SuperCoach: Young Docker Andrew Brayshaw is exciting new coach Justin Longmuir as he eyes full-time midfield spot in 2020
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