‘Did he forget?’: AFL fans puzzled as Demon looks unrecognisable

AFL fans couldn’t believe their eyes when Demon Angus Brayshaw started Melbourne’s blockbuster looking unrecognisable.

AFL fans could barely recognise Demons midfielder Angus Brayshaw in the opening stages of Melbourne’s 11.14 (80) to 11.10 (76) loss to Port Adelaide on Friday night.

After suffering several concussions early in his career, Brayshaw has worn a helmet in virtually every game since.

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So fans were surprised when the 27-year-old took to the Adelaide Oval without his distinctive blue and red headgear.

Brayshaw, who played in Melbourne’s 2021 premiership side and finished third in the 2018 Brownlow Medal, looked very different with his hair on full display.

But normal transmission resumed when midway through the first quarter when Brayshaw went to the bench and put on his headgear after Sam Powell-Pepper kicked Port Adelaide’s first goal.

Wait where's Angus Brayshaw's helmet pic.twitter.com/e62BElMkmD

— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 19, 2023

Did Brayshaw just forget his helmet at the start of the game? #AFLPortDees

— Liam Flanagan (@ljflannas) May 19, 2023

Brayshaw lost his helmet or got rid of it? #AFLPortDees

— Tim Kennedy (@PuntKing23) May 19, 2023

WHY ISNT ANGUS BRAYSHAW WEARING HIS HELMET

— laura ✨ (@_goldenlaura) May 19, 2023

“Just something that we noticed, interestingly, on the interchange early,” the Channel 7 commentators said.

“Angus Brayshaw started the game without his helmet on. The trainer ran it out for the score review during the Powell-Pepper game. Just an interesting one to start the quarter.”

Angus Brayshaw (left) was briefly without his helmet. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It’s unclear if Brayshaw deliberately started the game without the helmet or simply forgot it on the interchange bench.

Brayshaw’s headgear has entered footy folklore and even has its own Instagram account.

Port Adelaide, known as Yartapuulti for Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, dominated the first half in the clash between two top four teams.

But inaccurate goalkicking cost the Power dearly and two late goals to Melbourne (Naarm) kept them in touch heading into the main break.

Power youngster Zak Butters produced a stellar performance, racking up 23 disposals in the first half, finishing with a mammoth 41 touches.

The Demons kicked into gear in the third quarter, slotting seven goals to Port Adelaide’s three to take the lead in wet conditions.

But Port Adelaide kicked three final quarter goals to claim a gutsy 11.14 (80) to 11.10 (76) win — their seventh victory on the trot.

The Power are now second on the ladder.