By Peter Ryan and Jake Niall
A brain scan taken last week forced Melbourne premiership midfielder Angus Brayshaw to retire from football after results revealed his brain had deteriorated when compared to a scan taken in September, two weeks after he was concussed in last year’s qualifying final against Collingwood.
Brayshaw accepted that based on the medical advice from concussion experts and doctors reviewing that scan he should retire to protect his long-term health and wellbeing.
Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy consoles Angus Brayshaw as he leaves the ground after being concussed in the qualifying final.Credit: Paul Rovere
He informed his teammates on Thursday morning of the call that ended his career prematurely, saying he was “devastated that I can no longer play the game I love”.
In a statement on Thursday morning, the club said Brayshaw’s decision followed “extensive neurological testing and expert consultation, which concluded that the 28-year-old should be medically retired as a result of the concussion he sustained in the 2023 AFL qualifying final against Collingwood”.
Brayshaw had been completing a rehabilitation program which involved ongoing neuropsychological testing and planned to undergo a final set of scans to check his brain before he played against opposition in 2024.
A highly specialised scan revealed microscopic changes in the brain that had developed since the concussion. It was based on these results that Brayshaw was medically retired. “It was after these latest scans that I was given the bad news. There has been too much damage to continue. The risk is now too great,” Brayshaw wrote in a letter to members.
The 28-year-old has not played since he was knocked out in the opening minutes of that game against the Magpies after Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard cannoned into him after attempting to smother.
The controversial incident angered Melbourne and divided the football community and the AFL made a rule change as a result ahead of the 2024 season.
The AFL tribunal cleared Maynard and Brayshaw did not play for the rest of the finals. He has been undergoing brain scans since the incident and made a slow return to contact training over the summer but missed Sunday’s match simulation against Richmond when the club said he had the flu.
Angus Brayshaw (left) is a Melbourne star and respected leader.Credit: AFL Photos
However, after six concussions he faces life after football where he has already made great steps working part-time at a major investment firm after completing a commerce degree. He is also engaged to Danielle Frawley, the daughter of the late Danny Frawley.
Frawley was a champion footballer at St Kilda who took his own life in September 2019 with a post-mortem diagnosis revealing he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
“I am devastated that I can no longer play the game that I love, but I respect the verdict of the medical professionals, and the importance of putting my health before my career,” Brayshaw said.
“I am really proud of what I have achieved over the past decade. I have been able to live out my childhood dream and while it’s been cut short, I am forever grateful to everyone who has been involved.
“I want to especially thank my teammates, my coaches and the staff at the Melbourne Football Club, for all they have done for me over the years. I also want to thank my family and my partner Danielle for their endless support. To every member and fan, thank you for your incredible support over the journey.
“Concussion is a massive issue facing our game. I hope from this, a terrible result for me personally, can come some positive outcomes for the future of player safety.”
He urged the game to prioritise player health in his letter on the Demons’ website.
“We have made great strides in this space, but there is more that needs to be done to safeguard the brains of players not only in the AFL ranks, but from grassroots all the way up,” Brayshaw wrote.
“It would be remiss of me to fail to acknowledge that hundreds of millions of people around the world are currently doing it tougher than I am. It is hard for me to stay upset for long.”
The AFL’s general manager of football, Laura Kane, lauded Brayshaw’s decision as a courageous one typical of his career, as the league wished him the best in the future.
“Angus’ health and wellbeing is of the upmost importance and his decision, made in consultation with his medical team, is one more courageous act that Angus consistently demonstrated throughout his decorated career across 167 games,” she said.
“Angus’ contribution to footy on the field is well documented, and we look forward to his continued contribution to our game off the field in the coming years.”
Brayshaw played 167 matches for the Demons and finished third in the 2018 Brownlow Medal. He was a star performer in the club’s drought-breaking 2021 premiership and is a hugely respected player having earned All-Australian nomination in 2022. He finished fourth in the Demons’ best and fairest last season.
Melbourne were planning to offer him an off-field role.
Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy is also taking a break from the AFL until he gets in the right frame of mind to return to the fray following a concussion in the grand final that ruled him out of the decider after quarter-time.
Murphy has been given a medical clearance to play but is being managed carefully after 10 concussions.
If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.