Brayden Maynard opens up on the emotional toll following his collision with Angus Brayshaw

Brayden Maynard has opened up on the emotional toll following his collision with Angus Brayshaw and the highly publicised home visit.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Taylor Adams of the Magpies trains during a Collingwood Magpies AFL training session at Olympic Park Oval on September 11, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Collingwood vice-captain Brayden Maynard says the storm that followed his collision with Angus Brayshaw last week took an emotional toll, but he stressed his thoughts had solely centred on the welfare of the Melbourne midfielder and his family.

It comes as Maynard’s teammate Taylor Adams is under an injury cloud after he was forced from the training track on Friday afternoon.

Adams was in a contest with John Noble when he pulled up short and appeared to clutch at the back of his leg.

He spoke briefly to coach Craig McRae before he left the field and headed into the clubrooms as the Magpies took to the track at the AIA Centre in front of a large crowd of black and white fans for a two-hour session that included two 20-minute blocks of match practice.

Maynard was cleared on a charge of rough conduct at a marathon tribunal hearing last Tuesday night after a first term qualifying final clash with his good friend and former junior teammate Brayshaw became the biggest footy story of the week.

Darcy Moore’s cast is gone. Photo by Michael Klein.

Taylor Adams left the track early. Photo by Michael Klein.

But the Magpies defender has vowed it won’t change the way he approaches the contest.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s been a very big week, especially mentally,” Maynard said after taking part in match-simulation on Friday afternoon ahead of next week’s preliminary final.

“I had a few moments when I wasn’t going great.

“(But) my sole focus has been on Angus and his family. I guess some of the stuff (meant) I tried to stay off (social) media, but it is hard when there is a lot going on.

“I have tried my best to move on and I am glad now that it is done.”

Maynard faced some criticism for going to Brayshaw’s house the day after the Demons midfielder was knocked out for two minutes after the Magpie tried to spoil his kick.

Speaking for the first time since being cleared to play next week, Maynard said he only did so out of concern for Brayshaw’s welfare.

“I am really close to Angus and I have been for quite a while,” he said.

“It was an accident … I have checked up on him a couple of times. I love the guy.

“I wanted to check on his well-being and his welfare and I wanted to check on Danielle (Brayshaw’s girlfriend), she wasn’t there on the day.

“But my love and support and genuine care is for Angus and his family.”

Brayden Maynard hits the track. Photo by Michael Klein.

He was shocked that his decision to visit Brayshaw had become public, which fuelled the narrative around it.

“I don’t know why or how some of the stories have come out, but when I saw some of them, I thought ‘what the hell is this?’

“I know what I did was right. I have tried to block it all out, but it gets to a state where it does take a toll.”

Asked if the incident would change the way he played, Maynard said: “Absolutely not”

Qualifying final hero Bobby Hill was a notable absentee, but he is in no doubt for next weekend.

Moore was spotted wearing a cast on Tuesday after battling a tendon issue in his wrist, but he trained and looked sharp in match practice.

Nick Daicos played a half of the match simulation, which was his first competitive work since

suffering a hairline fracture in his knee cap in round 21 against Hawthorn on August 5.

He started the practice match at half-back but soon moved into the midfield and made an immediate impression.

Assistant coach Hayden Skipworth said the All-Australian defender Moore would definitely be right to take on either Port Adelaide or GWS Giants.

He has now ditched the cast, but was wearing tape on his right wrist.

“He (Moore) managed it into the last game (the qualifying final win over Melbourne) and the extra week (off) is going to be crucial.” Skipworth said.

Nick Daicos played in half of the match simulation. Picture: Michael Klein

“I think we put him in a splint for a couple of days to allow it to settle, but he is fine to go.”

Skipworth revealed Daicos would have played in a semi-final if the Magpies had lost to Melbourne last week, and assured fans he would be ready to go next week.

“He has ticked all the boxes,” Skipworth said. “He would have played this week if we needed him, (but) obviously having the luxury of the (extra) week off is going to be beneficial to him.”

“He has been driving all the coaches mad. He is in our office every day.

“Before he went out (injured), he was one of the best players in the competition. He is a natural footballer. We think he will pick it up (the tempo) straight away.

“The good thing about Nick is that he can play back, forward and mid, so he can fill holes wherever we need them.

“He is a real luxury to have coming back.”

Originally published as Brayden Maynard opens up on the emotional toll following his collision with Angus Brayshaw