‘One of the best’: Angus Brayshaw Brownlow speech wins over AFL

The AFL has been left stunned after former Melbourne star Angus Brayshaw delivered the speech of the night at the 2024 Brownlow.

Brilliant stuff from Angus Brayshaw. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Former Melbourne Demons midfielder Angus Brayshaw has won over the Brownlow Medal after a showstopping speech as he farewelled the retiring class of 2024.

The 28-year-old Brayshaw was forced into immediate retirement before the start of the 2024 season after medical experts deemed it was unsafe for him to continue playing following multiple head injuries despite five years left in his multimillion-dollar deal.

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Brayshaw’s last concussion was in the 2023 qualifying final against Collingwood, where he was famously knocked unconscious after a collision with Brayden Maynard in the first quarter of the match.

The former No. 3 pick in the 2014 draft finished with 167 games for the club over nine seasons which included winning the club’s drought-breaking premiership in 2021.

Speaking at the biggest night of the AFL calendar, Brayshaw toasted his fellow retirees in an emotional speech.

“It’s certainly not lost in me that I’m making a toast to a group which I now belong, which is a bit awkward but it is an honour to do so nonetheless,” Brayshaw began.

“It’s been about eight months since I was medically retired, and just over a year since I played my last game of AFL — so I had a little bit of a head start on the rest of the retirees.

“But I’m not going to lie, the absence of football has left a very deep void. Days that were planned to the minute and filled with purpose need to be replaced. And in time, they will be.

“Football is all consuming, no matter how long your career was, how successful it was, or even how well you prepared for the next stage. The transition is difficult, and there seems no easy way around it.

“Having said that, I think it’s really important on nights like this to reflect on what we’ve all achieved as a group.

The speech had everything. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Whether you’re Dustin Martin — who I checked before I came up here, and he’s still officially retired — he’s won every single award that’s available to win for a player.

“Or whether you’re a kid like Aiden O’Driscoll, who was a young man who had dreams of doing what Dusty did — but unfortunately he was medically retired from concussion in his first pre-season. We, the retiring class of 2024, should be incredibly proud.

“I hope that we’ve brought pride and joy to our families, our friends, our loved ones, our teammates, our clubs and also to many fans.

“We all achieved our dreams to varying degrees, which is a privilege that we should never lose sight of. Equally as important, is casting an eye to the future — and the truth, surprisingly, is that there is a life after football, which is a relief.”

The AFL website reports that 22 players have announced their retirements so far in 2024 with three-time premiership winning Geelong star Tom Hawkins the most capped.

“Tom Hawkins played 359 games — he arrived as a kid, and leaves the game with several of his own. And although his career may seem like a lifetime, he, like the rest of us, will soon find out that there is so much more to see and to do,” Brayshaw continued.

“Our playing careers have ended and there are feelings of sadness, grief, uncertainty, anger and anxiety, no doubt.

“But as the playing door closes on us, so many others stand ready for us, as we transition from this rigid and structured existence into the great unknown.

“I sincerely hope that everyone in the retiring class of 2024 finds something that provides them with the passion and the purpose that I derived from playing AFL.

Well done Angus. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

To finish, Brayshaw offered retirement advice for the players joining him.

“The first is to keep your friends and family close, and be kind to yourself through the ups and downs,” he said.

“It’s certainly not going to be easy all the time, but the virtues that football has instilled in us will hold us in good stead for what’s to come.

“The retiring class of 2024 gave so much to the game, and will be sorely missed, but the legacy that we have left won’t soon be forgotten.

“From club captains, to premiership heroes, future hall of famers, and players who gave us moments that we will look back on forever.

“On behalf of the group, I would also like to say a massive thank you to this great game, and to all of those who work tirelessly — often without recognition — to allow us to go out and do what we have done.

“And most of all, a massive thank you to our families and to our loved ones, who have sacrificed continuously to help us along our journey.

“It is my incredible privilege to count myself a member of this group, and a true honour to represent and toast it tonight.”

Fans heaped praise on Brayshaw’s heartfelt and emotional speech.

ABC Sport’s online editor Kyle Pollard posted: “The Brayshaw speech was fantastic. Brutally honest. Heartbreaking. Funny. One of the best.”

Aussie cricket great Darren Lehmann commented: “One of the best speeches I have ever heard from a very good young man. Hats off Angus Brayshaw.”

The Herald Sun’s Glenn McFarlane wrote: “Onya Gus. What an incredible speech. Amazing.”

Broadcaster and cricket reporter Bharat Sundaresan tweeted: “That was so touching & so straight from the heart from Angus Brayshaw. Must have taken such courage.”

CODE Sports’ Paul Amy said: “Three votes, A Brayshaw.”

Footyology’s Rohan Connolly added: “That was a wonderful speech from Angus Brayshaw, very articulate and moving. Well done!”

Another fan posted: “Angus Brayshaw won tonight. Amazing.”