AFL off-season: What your club’s players are up to over Christmas break
For most of us Christmas Day is about pudding and presents, but Angus and Andrew Brayshaw have a very different tradition. See how your club’s stars are spending their holiday break.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Some have jetted off overseas, others are enjoying the Boxing Day Test or trying out their Christmas presents.
With time off over the Christmas and New Year’s period, AFL players are making the most of their down time.
How are your club’s players spending their breaks?
MASON COX
Collingwood big man Mason Cox is spending some time in New Zealand.
Cox posted photos of some exploring he was doing in Turangi, which surrounds Lake Taupo on New Zealand’s north island.
“I love Australia don’t get me wrong,” Cox wrote on Twitter.
“But New Zealand might be the most beautiful place in the world.”
I love Australia don’t get me wrong but New Zealand might be the most beautiful place in the world. pic.twitter.com/hpAP0s5LNG
— Mason Cox (@masonsixtencox) December 28, 2022
JACK MARTIN
Carlton forward Jack Martin and his wife Brittany have welcomed their first child.
The pair, who got married in January, welcomed daughter Rose Martin into the world at Melbourne’s Epworth Hospital on Boxing Day.
The Martin’s posted on Instagram: “To our daughter - we’ll love you til the end of time”.
Under the AFL’s current father-daughter rules, Rose would be eligible to join either Carlton or Gold Coast in the AFLW in 2040.
THE BRAYSHAWS
As they usually do, Angus and Andrew Brayshaw did their 100 100m runs on Christmas Day.
The Melbourne and Fremantle stars gruelling session at Christmas have now been replicated by other players keen to get an edge on the rest of the competition.
DYLAN GRIMES
Richmond co-captain Dylan Grimes enjoyed an old-fashioned rodeo during his Christmas holidays.
Grimes posted a video Instagram from the Bundalong Tavern Rodeo on December 28.
The event in north-eastern Victoria is part of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association’s championships.
MITCH GEORGIADES
Port Adelaide’s Mitch Georgiades had a successful fishing trip with friends. The forward posted a photo on social media showing a nice catch on December 28.
TOM MITCHELL
The new Collingwood midfielder has been busy training with his new Magpies teammates.
Along with Isaac Quaynor, Josh Daicos and Nick Daicos, Mitchell got in some training post Christmas Day to work off all the food.
He was reunited with former Hawthorn teammate Changkuoth Jiath at the Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa as the two took in the first day of play in a corporate box.
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA
The Norm Smith medallist has been taking his TikTok followers inside his off-season.
One ‘rest day’ featured yoga, pilates, a round of golf with his Melbourne teammates and heading out to watching NBL team the South East Melbourne Phoenix — with a familiar face in Steven May.
And Christian the chef has continued making tasty recipes, including a Christmas tree pastry.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD
The Geelong star is sporting a new look after being the test subject for a Christmas gift.
Will Danger continue to rock the painted nails when the 2023 season begins?
LUKE JACKSON
The new Fremantle recruit has headed to Bali.
Jackson, a Melbourne premiership player, has been spending time on the Indonesian island with former Collingwood players and fellow Perth boy Trey Ruscoe hitting up Luigi’s Hot Pizza in Bali.
MATT GUELFI
Essendon’s Matt Guelfi is another player to jet to Bali over the Christmas break.
In between seeing the sights of Bali, Guelfi did find some time to do some running in the capital city of Denpasar.
BRODIE SMITH AND RORY LAIRD
The two Adelaide Crows take part in an annual game of backyard cricket every year, the Pebbsy Cup.
With multiple teams of two involved, it’s a fair bit more serious than your normal game of backyard cricket.
ZAC BAILEY
The Brisbane gun has had a Christmas break to remember after he hit a hole in one at the Pacific Golf Club in Carindale.
Bailey registered the hole in one on the 13th hole.
SAM WEIDEMAN AND TOM McDONALD
McDonald sent his congratulations to his former forward line counterpart and “the man of his dreams” Weideman, who tied the knot in December.
The pair are set to face off in Adelaide in round 5 after Weideman’s trade move to Essendon.
CHARLIE DIXON
The Port Adelaide star returned to his home of North Queensland to celebrate Christmas.
And to keep his training up he visited Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns.
But while other places in the country experience heatwaves, including Adelaide, Dixon was greeted by heavy rain.
ROWAN MARSHALL AND BLAKE ACRES
They play for different clubs but the St Kilda ruckman and the new Carlton recruit shot some hoops together.
Given Marshall’s size, you’d assume he is better in the paint than Acres - who moved to the Blues from Fremantle.
CAM ZURHAAR AND KANGAROOS PLAYERS IN PERTH
After signing a new deal Zurhaar definitely enjoyed himself back in his hometown of Perth.
Following sipping some champagne in the pool, he joined Kangaroos teammates Griffin Logue and Curtis Taylor as they hit-up the Perth night-life.
MARK O’CONNOR’S IRISH CHRISTMAS
Geelong’s Irish recruit headed home to Dingle, where the locals were out in force celebrating Christmas.
With many dressed as Santa, and one alien costume the locals held a street party to celebrate Christmas Irish style.
ED RICHARDS AND RILEY BONNER HEAD TO LONDON
The Western Bulldog and Port Adelaide dashers opted for a winter Christmas as they both headed to London on separate trips.
Richards attended the Arsenal against West Ham match on Boxing Day in North London, while Bonner took in the sights with partner Georgia.
More Coverage
Originally published as AFL off-season: What your club’s players are up to over Christmas break
Trade live: Dons take strong stance as Giants circle Stringer
Essendon has told GWS it will expect an “adequate” return for Jake Stringer, who is yet to formally ask to be traded after meeting with the Giants. FOLLOW LIVE
‘Players deserve better’: AFLW needs big ‘reset’
The AFLW needs a significant “reset” ahead of its 10th season, with league headquarters urged to put players back at the top of the priority list and develop a bold 10-year plan for the competition.