Misson made a specific point of saying that, above all, Gus is keen. Bridge crossed. His fitness should be fine and he's been in full-contact training for a few weeks. If all goes to plan, he'll be ready for selection as early as next week.

17 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Misson made a specific point of saying that, above all, Gus is keen. Bridge crossed. His fitness should be fine and he's been in full-contact training for a few weeks. If all goes to plan, he'll be ready for selection as early as next week.

Totally agree.  Given that other players have come back in after long outs with one or no Casey games then when Gus is ready he will come straight in.  My guess is it may take 2-4 games for that but that still leaves 2+ AFL games this season.

An in form Gus would be selected before Harmes, ANB, Stretch, Kent, Bugg, Wagner etc etc.  So if we look like making finals Gus and the club would be really keen to give him the max number of AFL games possible before September.  

This year they played Gus in the forward pocket which didn't suit him, his form fell away and he was dropped.  Hopefully, they play him in the midfield altho finding a spot may be difficult given the number of good players we have there.  Otherwise, teach him to play forward pocket.  He is such a smart player and very good user of the ball - almost in the Salem/Watts category.  Our delivery to inside 50 will improve heaps with Gus in the middle.

Can't wait to see him confident and playing again.  A major achievement for the lad.

2 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

An in form Gus would be selected before Harmes, ANB, Stretch, Kent, Bugg, Wagner etc etc.  So if we look like making finals Gus and the club would be really keen to give him the max number of AFL games possible before September.  

This year they played Gus in the forward pocket which didn't suit him, his form fell away and he was dropped.  Hopefully, they play him in the midfield altho finding a spot may be difficult given the number of good players we have there. 

I'm a Gus fan, but it must be remembered that he lost his spot prior to his troubles. ANB, Harmes and Bugg are all ahead at this stage, having shown the versatility to offer something at HF as well as through the middle. He'll come good, but there's a few hurdles before he's ready for automatic selection.

Question...Every time Brayshaw runs out onto the park, is this a case of one more concussion could mean the end of his career?

Just thinking what that could mean for the mental side of things for young Gus. I know he likes to play tough, uncompromising footy however just worried that'll play a huge part in his form and him returning to his best when that's constantly shadowing him. 

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

Misson made a specific point of saying that, above all, Gus is keen. Bridge crossed. His fitness should be fine and he's been in full-contact training for a few weeks. If all goes to plan, he'll be ready for selection as early as next week.

 

4 minutes ago, Skuit said:

I'm a Gus fan, but it must be remembered that he lost his spot prior to his troubles. ANB, Harmes and Bugg are all ahead at this stage, having shown the versatility to offer something at HF as well as through the middle. He'll come good, but there's a few hurdles before he's ready for automatic selection.

Do I detect a review of opinion on when Gus will be ready for selection...?

I agree he has a few hurdles to overcome hence my suggestion it would take 2-4 weeks for him to be back at AFL.  And as I said, he lost his spot for poor form but until then he was selected alongside ANB and ahead of Harmes and Bugg. 

I don't recall them adding much value in the middle.  Gus only had 2 games at HFF so its a bit hard to say he isn't versatile as he was injured early in the 2nd game so its not a great sample. 

They may be ahead at this stage but imho they won't be after Gus has 2-4 weeks at Casey.  His biggest asset over them is accurate passes to i50 (our major downfall last week and for many weeks before then) and the number of goals he sets up for other players, especially Jeffy!  Gus is one of our best at 'lowering' his eyes.  Of ANB, Harmes and Bugg I would have only ANB as a starting 22. 

Anyway, lets wait and see how he goes at Casey for a while.  Its one week at a time for him.  Wishing him all the best and that he enjoys himself and stays safe.  Then que sera sera.

2 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

He just needs some luck. Once he strings together many games in a row and gets confidence back he will be fine.  Dont expect him to play AFL this season though, that wont happen.  

Such an important player to get up and running,  especially with Lewis and Vince close to the end, and Jonesy approaching 30.

Won't play afl this season? 3 good VFL games in a row and he will be straight in the side. No more likely to get a head knock in the afl as opposed to VFL. 

In my humble opinion I don't think he should play again this year. Too much risk! 

5 hours ago, Wrecker45 said:

We also haven't played in September for a decade. It might actually come together for us this year.

ROUND 23

Friday, September 4

Richmond vs. North Melbourne (ES) (N)

Saturday, September 5

Geelong Cats vs. Adelaide Crows (SS) Brisbane Lions vs. Western Bulldogs (G) Port Adelaide vs. Fremantle (AO) Hawthorn vs. Carlton (MCG) (T)

West Coast Eagles vs. St Kilda (DS) (N) Sydney Swans vs. Gold Coast SUNS (SCG) (N) Sunday, September 6
Melbourne vs. GWS GIANTS (ES) Collingwood vs. Essendon (MCG) 

 

?

1 hour ago, juzzk1d said:

Question...Every time Brayshaw runs out onto the park, is this a case of one more concussion could mean the end of his career?

 

Another hit this year and probably so....but in reality he's taken most of hist hits playing in the VFL. So, given he's playing anyway, if he did hit form and confidence no reason not to bring him in eventually. Fingers firmly crossed on this one. We have Nev on one hand showing whats possible if things go right....surely he's, and the club, are  due a bit of luck. 

We know Gus was recruited as a tough inside mid but could he be transformed (for his sake and football career) into a more outside wing/mid/forward? More in the style of a Billings or Josh Kelly.

I'm not sure of his speed or agility but his kicking is above average on both sides of his body and his footy IQ is also above average.

26 minutes ago, picket fence said:

In my humble opinion I don't think he should play again this year. Too much risk! 

He wont play if there's too much risk.  Hes playing this week.

Conclusion - there isn't too much risk.

3 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

He is such a smart player and very good user of the ball - almost in the Salem/Watts category.  Our delivery to inside 50 will improve heaps with Gus in the middle.

Really looking forward to seeing what he can do but the above is not true - his field kicking was one of the main reasons he was dropped earlier this year; he couldn't hit a target by foot to save himself, particularly on short range kicks under little pressure

I still worry that the head knocks have affected his ability to execute the basics of football

As a half-forward moving through midfield he simply wasn't winning enough of the ball either or really having a massive effect on the balance of play

I still think he has it in him to be a very good player, but he's going to have to work hard to get back into the side next year, let alone this year

Good luck this weekend Gus, hope you make it through unscathed. I'm not expecting you back in the AFL side this year, but it would be a great result if you get there.

On 19/07/2017 at 7:05 AM, bandicoot said:

Won't play afl this season? 3 good VFL games in a row and he will be straight in the side. No more likely to get a head knock in the afl as opposed to VFL. 

IMO he is more likely to be a victim of a cheap sniper at VFL than AFL - far less scrutiny at VFL level.

PS especially in a night game v Druggies

Crossing everything for him. He deserves some luck and we deserve to see him play AFL. He has the potential to be the next Jonesy!

11 hours ago, Skuit said:

I'm a Gus fan, but it must be remembered that he lost his spot prior to his troubles. ANB, Harmes and Bugg are all ahead at this stage, having shown the versatility to offer something at HF as well as through the middle. He'll come good, but there's a few hurdles before he's ready for automatic selection.

This last two seasons have been all a part of his troubles though, i think it's important to note that he's been doing a re-adjusted training and weight regime that pertains to his neck and concussion issues and probably had extensive professional consultations relating to his concussion troubles over the past few months, as if his career and health post-career depended on it. Now a clean slate with better management in place.

Given our brutal game style and the injury toll to date this year, if he can find form, an opportunity will most likely present itself. 

Best wishes Gus.

 

Huge fan of Gus here.
Was more excited about him than Hogan in his 1st year.
When he gets himself right it'll be a massive boost to our premiership aspirations..

4 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

Given our brutal game style and the injury toll to date this year, if he can find form, an opportunity will most likely present itself. 

Best wishes Gus.

 

Thanks for posting that - that is so so feel good. 

10 hours ago, Vogon Poetry said:

ROUND 23

Friday, September 4

Richmond vs. North Melbourne (ES) (N)

Saturday, September 5

Geelong Cats vs. Adelaide Crows (SS) Brisbane Lions vs. Western Bulldogs (G) Port Adelaide vs. Fremantle (AO) Hawthorn vs. Carlton (MCG) (T)

West Coast Eagles vs. St Kilda (DS) (N) Sydney Swans vs. Gold Coast SUNS (SCG) (N) Sunday, September 6
Melbourne vs. GWS GIANTS (ES) Collingwood vs. Essendon (MCG) 

 

?

we wiil on my assessment play the Swans in sydney in the first final

BRING IT ON !!!!!

 

12 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

 

Do I detect a review of opinion on when Gus will be ready for selection?

A breathalyser would have detected about half a dozen 'reviews'.

Give him 3-4 weeks @ Casey if he dominates after this stint he's straight back in for mine.?

11 hours ago, PaulRB said:

Given our brutal game style and the injury toll to date this year, if he can find form, an opportunity will most likely present itself. 

Best wishes Gus.

 

So much potential.  Great footy brain and he has pace too. Great size.

He was the right choice at pick 3, just needs a clear run at it.

All the luck to Gus!

On 19/07/2017 at 10:47 AM, DemonAndrew said:

I still worry that the head knocks have affected his ability to execute the basics of football

I dunno that his technique is going to be the problem. I reckon he hasn't had the confidence to put it into play. His technique is good. Not great. Just good. Same as his pace. It's all at required levels, everything he does.

What worries me is that nothing about him physically or skill wise set him apart from anyone in his draft year. It's his smarts and work ethic that pushed him up high. The intangible stuff. Running players down to tackle, yes it takes some speed... but it takes timing too. Choosing when to time your run and when to lead is as important if not more than having the pace, or size to get clear and mark it. That's why in his first season he accumulated possessions without much fanfare. In his draft year you had McCartin who had physical attributes as well as kicking skill. Petracca has unusual bulk and power as well as a prodigious long kick. Brayshaw is just a good smart footballer.

Take away his decision making, or even just his confidence in his decision making, then what is he? Probably just another player. That's all I'll be looking for. Even if it's only a quarter or two of good footy, can he make a couple of those super clever decisions where he inserts himself at a stoppage in just the right place, and dish off a handball to someone running through. If I can see that a few times, then he can build on it, and you back him in.

On the plus side, it's not like he's a Trengove who was already slow, and then lost another yard of pace and became useless at AFL level. Physically he's still all there. That's something.