2020 Player Reviews: #10 Angus Brayshaw

Played some important games in the midfield but was unable to put it all together with same consistency he produced in 2018 and missed the latter part of the season with a foot injury.

Date of Birth: 9 January, 1996

Height: 187cm

Weight: 87kg

Games MFC 2020: 14

Career Total: 94

Goals MFC 2020: 5

Career Total: 42

Votes 2020 Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy: 186

Votes 2020 Brownlow Medal: 1

So much potential this kid has, but it is wasted. Some have suggested he has been played out of position, others may suggest he has played his 'role' for the team. My 2 cents is he looks like he is not 100% committed to the cause - whether that is to be at the club or even playing football. 

2021 will shape as a very important year for Brayshaw. He needs to find a way to reinvent himself. He may not get the high disposal count as others , but given his footy smarts and ability to make plays, he needs to impose himself more on the game. I think another failed season will see him considered as trade potential, while he still has some trade value. 

I am looking forward to seeing a fit and reinvigorated Gus back at the G in 2021 I agree with CYB he definitely has the footy smarts and skill set to hurt the opposition and I believe that the team need to channel more play through him to maximize his effectiveness.

We are looking for a huge 2021 Gus......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loved when he moved back into the middle, and then began popping up at the tip of the 50m arch to take the centered ball. More, please.

gets himself caught far, far too often between where the kick is coming from and where it is going to

for mine, easily the most frustrating player on our list as he can clearly play the sport but i don't think he's a 'smart' footballer at all, and has no versatility whatsoever - he can play in the middle and the middle only

only works hard one way and doesn't impact the play defensively whatsoever

I'm flabbergasted this guy came third in the brownlow given his output in subsequent seasons.

I'm one of those in the "it's midfield or not much else" camp for Brayshaw. Therefore we should've seriously considered trade options for him post season - and we may well have but couldn't get an enticing offer.

He has played some outstanding games as a midfielder - eg - 37 touches and 3 goals against Adelaide in 2018.

Given we kept Viney I'm ready for a Brayshaw trade.

Something has to give  in that midfield before it functions correctly.

Gus will demand very good money at the end of his contract (2022) and I just think it's better spent elsewhere. A very good outside mid is what we are screaming out for.

I think he is one of our best players. Must play centre square though. Talk of trading him is ridiculous. Oh and by the way would prefer him in the centre square to Viney.

He absolutely has to get fit. He was definitely a bit “chubby” this year but I’m giving everyone a pass because of the nature of the season but he needs to have a “Trac” type of preseason because he could be anything ..I’ll back in Roos opinion of him ! 

extremely overrated, probably the most overrated player on the list. bloke has a massive amount of talent but has not improved one bit since coming to the club. His foot skills aren't AFL standard and he never runs defensively, big one way runner. But he has a stack of talent and I'm sure if he gets a good rocket he could become quite a good player. In saying that he was extremely lucky to come third in the brownlow (a helmet gets you noticed). 

My concern with Gus this year was that he seemed to be going through the motions a little at times, I don't know whether that was due to a lack of understanding, trust, and/or cohesion with his fellow on ballers. He played some games that are much more to his standard, especially when he was given more responsibility in the middle. I'm a big fan of Viney but I think for the good of the team these two need to rotate between a half forward and guts roles, Jack would bring his manic "see ball get ball" style, and Gus has a better overhead mark and penetrating kick.

Not sold on his golf swing goal celebrations.

Gus is a valuable  team member and at 25yo in 2021 it is prime time.  You cannot have enough midfielders that can play in multiple positions and kick goals. They are hard to find players that are dependable. 

His form has not been consistent  like in 2018  and in 2020 had an average year. Gus will need to reassess his style of play.  He is good enough to turn his form around and barring his injury to his foot l believe he is a vital cog in the midfield one that will help us make it to the finals and beyond.

2 hours ago, Deestar9 said:

He absolutely has to get fit. He was definitely a bit “chubby” this year but I’m giving everyone a pass because of the nature of the season but he needs to have a “Trac” type of preseason because he could be anything ..I’ll back in Roos opinion of him ! 

Lol.. I always think back to this article years back.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.perthnow.com.au/sport/melbourne-demons/melbourne-midfielder-angus-brayshaw-sheds-four-kilograms-for-afl-return-ng-661ecd77c52a35d78c556079306a4191.amp

I like him, but we can't persist with this ridiculous situation where Goodwin won't play him in the one spot that suits him well. He's not a wingman or a half back, if we can't / won't play him in the middle, then we need to maximise his value and trade for a better fit. 

He's a player who has a great boot, and whose delivery into our F50 will benefit massively from the addition of Ben Brown.

I'd see him rotating with Trac and Melksham from Forward flank into middle, next year and beyond.