Brayden Maynard misses training over early morning freeway accident

The premiership defender was seen ‘swerving and cutting off other cars’ prior to the early morning accident.

Collingwood premiership star Brayden Maynard was involved in an early morning car crash on the Mornington Peninsula on Monday.

The 27-year-old and the rest of his teammates had the weekend off from pre-season training and witnesses to the incident informed police, as first reported by Channel 7.

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Maynard was reportedly seen “swerving and cutting off other cars” before the crash, which involved a tradesman’s vehicle.

“Police have confirmed to Seven News that witnesses informed them that a car matching the description of Maynard’s was seen in the area swerving and cutting off other cars before 6am on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway,” the report stated.

Brayden Maynard was involved in an early morning car accident. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Maynard spent the Magpies’ weekend off with friends down at the beach, but witnesses have told Seven News the crash involved a tradesman’s car and that Maynard’s car also suffered minor damage in the collision.

“Collingwood says Maynard did exchange details with the other person involved in the incident.”

Pick 30 in the 2014 AFL national draft, Maynard has played 186 games in defence for the Pies.

An All-Australian in 2022, Maynard played 25 of a possible 26 games last season as Collingwood snapped a 13-year premiership drought with victory over Brisbane in the grand final.

Maynard with his 2023 AFL premiership medal. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Collingwood released a short statement about the incident on Monday morning, stating no one was hurt, although he sat out training later that day.

“Collingwood confirms Brayden Maynard was involved in a very minor car accident earlier this morning,” the statement said.

“Importantly, no one was hurt. Brayden exchanged contact details with the other driver with only minor damage to the exterior of Brayden’s vehicle.”

During Collingwood’s charge to the premiership, Maynard was involved in a controversial incident in a qualifying final victory over Melbourne when he crashed into Angus Brayshaw and left the Demon badly concussed.

In one of the highest profile tribunal cases of the season, Maynard was ultimately cleared and played in subsequent finals victories over Greater Western Sydney and the Lions.

Originally published as Brayden Maynard misses training over early morning freeway accident