Brayshaw reflects on past battle
AFL can be a cruel game and this wasn’t lost on Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw as he signed a lucrative new deal just days after Koby Stevens announced his premature retirement.
Both players had experienced major concussion battles but while Brayshaw was able to resume playing and has found career-best form, Stevens was less fortunate.
The St Kilda midfielder, 27, on Monday called time on his 91-game career after an ongoing struggle with delayed concussion symptoms.
“It’s really hard to see and I feel really bad for him,” Brayshaw said yesterday after signing a four-year contract extension.
“At the same time, he’s doing what’s best for his longterm health and I think that’s got to be No.1.
“It’s a bit of a reminder about how serious concussions are and it’s not lost on me.”
Brayshaw missed large chunks of the 2016 and 2017 seasons after being concussed four times in the space of 12 months.
He later described the experience as isolating and mentally challenging, admitting his fear of copping another knock to the head made it difficult to work back into full-contact training.
Brayshaw was made to wait until Round 4 before earning his first senior call-up this season but has since been in hot form, averaging 27 disposals and four clearances per game.