Dees star’s insight into concussed teammate as ‘bump’ debate rages

There are fears Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw could be forced to hang up the boots after being knocked out cold on Thursday night.

Brayshaw being stretchered off after the hit. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Melbourne star Christian Petracca says teammate Angus Brayshaw is “not going great” after being concussed by Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard on Thursday night.

Brayshaw was knocked out following what was deemed to be a bump from Maynard by AFL HQ, which took place as the latter attempted to smother the former’s kick in the Qualifying Final.

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While Maynard visited Brayshaw at his home in the aftermath, Petracca said he and captain Max Gawn also checked in with their teammate.

“I went and visited him yesterday with Gawny. He’s not going great to be honest,” he said.

“Obviously he’s had a bit of concussion history, but fortunate it was six years ago, it’s not so frequent, but he’s got a bit of a sore neck.

“It’s really sad, he’s one of my closest mates. I think just in general to see anyone with concussion, whether it’s a Collingwood player or Melbourne player, it is really tough to see someone on the ground.”

Concussion campaigner Peter Jess said, to the Herald Sun, Brayshaw’s latest head knock could be “career-ending” and “catastrophic” based on his history and the latest research.

Brayshaw carted off the field. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Brayshaw missed half of the 2016 season and the majority of the 2017 campaign after suffering four concussions in the space of a year.

He has since returned to become one of Melbourne’s most important players and will at the very least miss this week’s clash against Carlton under the AFL’s concussion protocols.

Asked how he felt about Maynard’s spoil gone wrong, Petracca replied: “I can’t really comment on that to be honest. The only thing we’re really concerned about is our teammate and Gus on the ground. It’s difficult to see anyone on the ground with concussion.”

Maynard collects Brayshaw high.

Petracca added Brayshaw’s history with concussion had made his latest episode a sobering reminder of head knocks and their impact.

“I feel like when I saw Gus and just speaking to him, footy is just one thing. It’s all about his health,” he said.

“You’ve got your brain for the rest of your life, footy is just part of you. It’s probably when I speak to him I feel that. You look at people with concussion, it’s more than just footy. Whatever he wants to do, it’s up to him.

“From speaking to him he’s in pretty good spirits, he is sore but I guess anyone would be when you get concussed.”

Originally published as Dees star’s insight into concussed teammate as ‘bump’ debate rages