Angus Brayshaw to wait and see before signing contract extension
ANGUS Brayshaw’s move to the midfield has coincided with a stoppage spike for the Demons but the hard nut wants to consolidate his form before committing to a contract extension.
Melbourne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Melbourne. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MELBOURNE hard nut Angus Brayshaw will attempt to consolidate his sparkling form before he looks to extend his contract.
The Demons want to re-sign the No.3 draft pick but could be forced to wait until the second half of the season to lock Brayshaw into a new deal.
The tenacious ballwinner produced a career-high 32 possessions in the 39-point win over St Kilda on Sunday in his second-straight game in the centre square.
TRADE NEWS: DEMONS AFLW STAR DEFECTS TO CATS
MISFIRING FORWARD: BOMBERS TO REST ‘SORE’ DANIHER
INJURED STAR: BULLDOGS UNSURE ON BONT’S RETURN
Melbourne struggled with its clearance connection in the early rounds, but Brayshaw’s move into the engine room a fortnight ago has coincided with a stoppage spike.
Brayshaw played half-back in the loss to Richmond, but since moving into the middle, Melbourne has won the clearances 38-28 against Essendon and 37-31 against St Kilda.
He attended zero centre bounces against the Tigers, but has been involved in 42 centre bounces over the past two weeks.
His red-hot form has helped turn the corner on a nightmare concussion battle last year when Brayshaw, 22, was forced to spend almost two weeks in a darkened room “doing nothing” to combat the debilitating symptoms.
But the out-of-contract tough nut has strung together four-straight games and is certain to catch the attention of rival clubs with his hardness and clearance work.
The Demon has made clear he wants to stay at Melbourne, but is likely to hold off on signing a new deal for at least another month after starting the year in the VFL team.
Brayshaw played only nine senior games over the past two years but wants to cement a senior spot for the remainder of the year as the Dees chase their first finals berth in 11 years.
The 40-gamer said he was relishing the midfield move.
“The last two weeks I have been needed in the midfield and I think I have acquitted myself pretty well,” Brayshaw said.
“That’s where I was playing all my junior footy, I was drafted out the midfield playing for ‘Sandy’ and I think that’s naturally where I play.
“That said, there’s a group of 12 guys (at Melbourne) who play midfield and half back, half forward roles.
“I missed the first couple games this year and I have been putting in a lot of work and I have been building over the last four weeks. It’s a nice little tick that what I’m doing is working.”
Brayshaw said he was excited by Melbourne’s potential as it looks to continue its good form against Gold Coast and Carlton over the next fortnight.
“I’m feeling pretty good at the moment, and obviously we won (against the Saints), but I think we are building as a group something pretty special at the moment,” he said.
“So it’s just good to be a part of that.”
LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Get your free 2-week Foxtel Now trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW
The List Manager: How Dees rise from ashes of out-and-out-crisis
It’s been one crisis after another at Melbourne the past 12 months. Board disputes, unhappy players, trade rumours. Jon Ralph writes, there’s a path for them to rise and contend again.
Oliver makes pre-season statement after failed trade drama
Clayton Oliver has returned almost two weeks early for pre-season as he aims to put a “stinker” behind him and reclaim his mantle as one of the AFL’s premier midfielders.