Melbourne win big, snare AFL Draft dream team Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw

CHRISTIAN Petracca and Angus Brayshaw could form a midfield dream team after being drafted by Melbourne on Thursday night.

2014 AFL Draft

MELBOURNE says it won’t try to stifle Christian Petracca’s exuberant personality after snaring a midfield dream team that could play early in 2015.

Silky Eastern Ranges midfielder Petracca (pick No.2) has bundles of X-factor, with the Demons then snaring Angus Brayshaw with the draft’s next pick.

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Petracca was seen for months as the draft’s No.1 pick but clubs worried about his psychological profile given his carefree, bubbly personality has overflowed at times.

But as he admitted to tears of joy last night he said he had matured quickly after twice this year being told to lift his game by AFL academy boss Mick Ablett.

Demons recruiter Todd Viney said the Demons planned to let his personality shine through.

The pair round out a potentially elite midfield group that includes Nathan Jones and high picks Dom Tyson, Jack Viney, Jack Grimes and Christian Salem.

“We certainly don’t have any issues with that at all,’’ Viney said of Petracca’s testing.

“We just think he is going to be great for our group. There are always barometers of your group.

Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw will form a potent midfield combination.

He knows when to have a good time, he has picked up his workrate, he is in fantastic condition and there is nothing wrong with having a bit of spark.

“They are pretty impressive characters, both of them. Standing up there they were nearly as big as (No.1 pick Patty McCartin). They are big bodied midfielders who have some real X-factor around them.”

The Demons could slot the pair into their side for Round 1 along with much-hyped tall Jesse Hogan.

Dynamic midfielder Petracca was the Under-18 championship’s best player and said last night he was thrilled to be recruited alongside best mate Brayshaw.

“I am so excited I was crying before. It has taken too long to get here. I always say take it day by day but the days have felt like they have gone for 48 hours.

“I am always up and about and excited and eager to do new things and if I can bring that energy to a new club like Melbourne it would be great.

“I am never going to change. I will grow up, but I am never going to change the person I am. It’s my personality and I will bring that to the club.”

Petracca’s charisma is tempered by Brayshaw’s natural calmness, but both will make a charge for Round 1 spots.

“Roosy has a real philosophy that we don’t expect our young guys to make an impact straight away but they will be knocking on the door pretty hard,’’ Viney said.

The Demons also took defender Tom McDonald’s brother Oscar at pick No.53. The key defender at 197cm is taller than his brother but the Demons say has the same speed and talent.

Steven Stretch’s son Billy was already selected as father-son selection with the Demons taking fellow Glenelg midfielder Alex Neal-Bullen with pick 40.

Originally published as Melbourne win big, snare AFL Draft dream team Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw