Brownlow Medal 2024: Angus Brayshaw’s tear-jerking speech about the ‘deep void’ left by retirement

Angus Brayshaw addressed the Brownlow Medal crowd on Monday night at Crown, with a heartfelt speech where he opened up about the ‘very deep void’ left by his retirement from the AFL.

Angus Brayshaw has spoken on behalf of the retiring footballers at the Brownlow Medal tonight in a heartfelt speech.

Brayshaw, who was medically retired from the AFL eight months ago, began his speech with a sullen “my name is Angus Brayshaw and I’m a retired AFL footballer”.

WATCH THE FULL SPEECH IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Angus Brayshaw during his speech at the Brownlow Medal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

“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,” he said.

“Football is all-consuming no matter how long your career was, how successful your career was or even how well you prepared for the next stage.

“It’s difficult and there’s no easy way around it.

“Whether you’re Dustin Martin, I checked and he’s still officially retired. He’s won every award, or a kid like Aiden O’Driscoll who dreamed of doing what Dusty did but was retired in his first pre-season.”