Angus Brayshaw has been training with Melbourne captain Nathan Jones to get jump on pre-season

ANGUS Brayshaw’s 2016 season had its ups and downs but says an off-season shadowing captain Nathan Jones has him primed for the Demons’ summer campaign.

MELBOURNE midfielder Angus Brayshaw says an off-season shadowing captain Nathan Jones has him primed for the Demons’ summer campaign.

In a bid to help take his game to the next level, Brayshaw tailed the Demons’ midfield veteran in training during the break to lift his fitness and prepare for an attack on the 2017 pre-season.

“He’s just around the corner from me, obviously he is an elite player and he is a bit fitter than I am,’’ Brayshaw said.

“To go to the next level you need to be super-fit as a midfielder, so I just tried to match him in all the running that we do, he always does extras and I’m trying to copy his habits to become as good a player as what he is.

“He’s a great runner and great trainer so I’m just trying to pick up his habits and I’ve come back in good nick as a result I reckon.

Angus Brayshaw wants get himself even fitter for next season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“That’s something that I think will help me out a lot. I’ve just been trying to stick with him and trust that what he’s doing obviously works because he’s a 200-game player.’’

Brayshaw is hoping for a trouble-free preparation for 2017 after the young midfielder’s second year in the AFL was interrupted by knee and concussion issues.

He was restricted to 10 games in 2016 after being forced to spend a month out of the game to rest after suffering two concussions early in the season.

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Brayshaw said he had not experienced any lingering issues from the concussions and was focused on preparing himself for a full season under new coach Simon Goodwin.

“As a contact sport with football you get that stuff from time to time, obviously getting hit in the back of the head with a footy is unlucky,’’ Brayshaw said.

“Thankfully I haven’t had another head knock and no recurring symptoms since then.

Nathan Jones has taken Angus Brayshaw under his wing. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“The pre-season is basically about just trying to keep my head out of the way, which is easier said than done when it’s as big as mine.

“Keep my head out of the way and just get stronger ... I think I have taken some great steps already training with Nathan, but just continue to build on that.

“I want to give myself a good chance to play consistent footy. I played the last seven games of the season and found some good form, but ideally I want to contribute for the whole year.’’

Brayshaw, who has played 31 games for the Demons since his debut in 2015, said the club had made a seamless transition into pre-season training under Goodwin and added it was “exciting” for him to have control of the team.

The 20-year-old said the arrival of Hawthorn premiership star Jordan Lewis at the Demons was a sign the club was on the rise.

“I think (Jordan) Lewis just sums up where we are as a club,’’ Brayshaw said.

Angus Brayshaw managed only 10 games this year in a season ruined by injury and concussion issues. Picture: Michael Klein

“After he and Hawthorn decided what was going to happen, he chose to come to Melbourne.

“I think that is a good indicator of where we’re at. We’re not a major destination club as of yet, but when you’ve got guys of the calibre of Jordan Lewis saying that they want to play, I think we’re taking steps in the right direction, so it's very exciting.’’

While Brayshaw said the Demons were not “putting too many expectation on ourselves” as yet for next season, he was confident the team’s best could match it with anyone.

“When we play our best football as was shown at times last year, we can be really competitive against any team,’’ Brayshaw said.

“The next step of the group is to go and compete at a consistent level week in, week out ... and making sure we don’t have those lapses.

“We’re confident in the direction that we’re going and if we can get some consistency then I’m sure we’ll be knocking on the door. It’s very early and obviously we’ve got a lot of hard work to go but we feel like we’re on the right path.’’