Angus in line for big payday
RED-HOT Melbourne onballer Angus Brayshaw is set to cash in on his careerbest form this season.
The hard-nut midfielder has bounced back from a career-threatening concussion problem last year to become one of the club’s priority resignings this season.
Over the past five weeks Brayshaw has averaged 28 possessions, 530m gained, one goal and nine score involvements per game, helping propel the Demons into the top four.
In that time, the 2014 No.3 draft pick has polled the second-most AFL Coaches’ Association votes at Melbourne behind superstar ruckman Max Gawn.
It is a strong endorsement of Brayshaw’s potential and standing at Melbourne despite a horror 2017 where he was forced to spend long periods in dark rooms to help ward off the devastating concussion symptoms.
After starting the year in the VFL, Brayshaw’s rich vein of form has caught the attention of rival several clubs, and significantly driven up his contract price.
One Melbourne club specifically on the hunt for a strong-bodied onballer has kept a close eye on the 22year-old.
But the out-of-contract ball-winner has made clear he wants to stay at Melbourne beyond this season and help drive the club to a droughtbreaking premiership.
His signature would continue the string of key resignings at the club which has recently included Gawn, 2014 No.2 draft pick Christian Petracca and best and fairest winner Clayton Oliver.
“I love Melbourne and I haven’t even thought about (leaving),” Brayshaw said in April.
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney is confident of retaining the clearance winner.
But West Coast could also yet make a revenge move on Brayshaw, attempting to partner him with his brother, Hamish, if the Dees are successful in prying Eagle Andrew Gaff.
West Coast is trying to keep free agent Gaff in a deal worth about $750,000 a year as well as gun key defender Jeremy McGovern on a deal worth as much as $1 million a season.
But the Dees have the room to land Gaff, keep free agent swingman Tom McDonald and re-sign Brayshaw on a much-improved deal to round out their premiership tilt.
Brayshaw’s form spike is perfect timing as contract talks between his management and the club ramp up.
The 43-gamer has wanted to cement his position in the team and concentrate on reestablishing himself at AFL level before launching into talks about his future.
A four-year contract extension would tie Brayshaw to the Demons until he becomes a free agent in 2022.
A decision from Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin to move Brayshaw into a more natural onball role has also paid huge dividends.
Melbourne was struggling with its clearance connection in the engine room before Brayshaw partnered Clayton Oliver and Nathan Jones in the centre square.
Brayshaw did not attend a centre bounce in the Round 5 loss to Richmond but has since become one of their most regular attendees at the coal face.