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Thanks, Angus.

Sue the AFL, The lack of action on the Maynard incident is messed up.

Heart break for Gus. His teammates too. Super brave decision - but obviously the right thing for him though. CTE is a nightmare. Hard not think it will ultimately change the sport. Fir one thing, I'd go with goody's take, and flat out ban the bump. People will say it would change footy too much - but would it really? I mean how often does a bump actually achieve something other than rattling someone's cage? Tackling is almost always the better option than a bump in terms of say winning the ball back and/or preventing an opponent disposing of the ball. Thanks Gus for all you've given the club and fans.

My all-time favourite player taken out of the game by condoned thuggery. The sadness and anger is beyond words. Brayshaw will be all right because he is a champion human being as well as footballer, but he deserved so much more luck than he had.

Performative. The AFL put on a woeful case and then didn't appeal a ridiculously flawed decision.

I hope the karma bus runs that thug Maynard over this year. I’m still beyond angry about what happened last season. I will never, ever forget what he did.😡😡

Hang your heads Maynard and the AFL. Shameful.

I will never forget that as long as I live. I was at the game and surrounded by Pies supporters who looked like they had a total combined IQ of about 10 between them. I couldn’t stand it so left my seat and went and sat downstairs. I refused to talk to my husband for about a week and told him I will never, ever go to a Collingwood game with him ever again. This still makes my blood boil. I have not watched one minute of last years GF and never will. It make me feel sick to think that thug has a premiership medal.

Reading all of the hand wringing about the Demons as we head into 2024 is enough to make me spew. Honestly, can we be as big a basket case as we are being reported as? The demons have huge challenges and massive messaging headwinds just to get to the starting line. Today I got contacted about the Demon draw raffle - I’m in immediately. I might break my oath to never bet on sport and choose dees for top 4, GF and premiers. When you put coal under pressure you make diamonds. We are under pressure now but I remain all in. C’mon Dees, stick it up em all and take the flag!

Best call for his long term health. But really sucks from a team perspective. In our top 5-6 must important and best players. Dark day for the the Dee's and the AFL in general. That Maynard hit has ended his career and the AFL ticked it off as ok.

Mixed emotions. A naturally gifted footballer with a footy brain. However, definitely the right decision given the importance of his health. I think we were all worried about the prospect of another knock during the season. Even a minor knock. I don’t think I have ever felt as sick as watching him knocked out during the QF. I remember muttering under my breath, “please move Gus, please move”. One can only imagine the horror for his family. Despite the sadness of his forced retirement, he leaves the game with an impeccable record as a player and and a reputation as an outstanding person. He will be missed. A heart and soul player. He will be remembered for his outstanding service and passion for his club. Who will ever forget that courageous mark and goal, and his emotional reaction with his teammates and Demon supporters. Thanks for the memories Gus. You are a star.

That 3rd Qtr in the 21 GF from Gus will live on in hearts for eternity. We love you Gussy boy Sink or swim kinda stuff now from our club. QB is gonna get ugly

A lot of talk about culture of late. The culture of any organisation is not tested when you're flying. It's tested when under pressure and there are internal and external shocks. Let's see how ours stands up this season.

So many mixtures of emotions at this news. Firstly mostly sadness as Gus is not only a fantastic player for us but quite simply a great bloke. To have his career cut short because of concussion after he fought so hard to come back is devastating. I wish him all the good health in the world and I hope he sticks around the club to mentor and still feel a part of the red and blue. The news also brought back a lot of the feelings I had at the time, mostly anger at not only Maynard but the Pies fans, Eddie Maguire, the AFL Media, and the tribunal. The conduct of the pies fans knowing full well that if the roles were reversed they would have been screaming for Angus to be strung up was disgraceful, they are scum pure and simple. They weren't cheering someone for doing something courageous, they were cheering someone who had blatantly and recklessly taken a key player out of the game (and now his career). The tribunal were gutless in that they didn't want to suspend someone from a potential premiership, if ever there was proof that different rules exist during finals that was it. They even said it that "the stakes were high for Maynard", that should never have come into the conversation. And as for Maynard, I hope you choke on your dinner tonight, karma's a [censored] and I hope with every part of me that it finds you with full force. I'm sorry, maybe I'm just emotional right now but justice was not served here and because of Maynard's recklessness a fantastic player has had to retire prematurely.

Moving the incident from the finals to one side, this is a sad way to end your career but a great call. He provided some of my fondest highlights in 2021. His set shot in the GF was laser like. Enjoy the additional opportunities to hit the golf course Gus and thanks!

The end of Angus' long (AMAZING) letter: "And so, concludes me career. I have no regrets and a lot of love. My heart will ALWAYS beat true for the red and the blue. Go Dees." What an elite top shelf gentleman and athlete. Will be missed. Hope the guys can put aside the drama and unideal prep for the season and do it for him. A flag this year would be tough (without him, as just one of the reasons), but would be so sweet. Highly recommend the read. A letter from Gus (melbournefc.com.au)

No doubt The Filth took out Angus in that game Premeditated plan executed They all loved it Eddie shouted “Justice” These are the [censored] called Collingwood Young Demons may now understand how much they must be despised and Hated for eternity Don’t get me started on The AFL

Frankly my dear I couldn't give a damn what Maynard thinks about anything. I have a strong view about the reckless intent of that incident. I'm not going to discuss it any further.

Sad news. Gus was an exceptional, old-fashioned, pure footballer. Loved watching him play, cos he was never anything but committed to getting the best out of himself, and solely for the team. His premiership game was exactly that. They’ll miss him in ways we just won’t know. That it places a shameful, dark context over the QF ‘hit’, and how the AFL behaved then and since goes without saying. Picks 1 and 3 of his draft year retired due to brain injury. This will change the game, and should. Go well, Gus, we of course know you’ll be a presence at MFC ongoing.

now i’m REALLY [censored] [censored] at Maynard he hadnt had a concussion in over 5 years Love you Gus. must be so hard

So sad but it's probably for the best for his health. An Integral part of 2021. Deleted and re-written a few things about Maynard but hopefully this thread can focus on Gus' positive impact on the field for us.

Was trying to have a break from Demonland until the 2024 AFL season started. This has absolutely gutted me! Very sad news, I wish Angus Brayshaw all the best. He will always be remembered as a Demons Premiership hero who helped end our 57 year Premiership drought. I will squarely lay the blame of this tragic set of circumstances with that piece of excrement and all-round knuckle dragging troglodyte Brayden "the thug" Maynard! Never forget that he is responsible for all this and Angus Brayshaw being forced to retire! Be sure to BOO him incessantly when we play the scum at Collingwood! 😡😡😡😡 I hope that Angus Brayshaw considers suing the AFL, Collingwood and Brayden Maynard for their lack of duty of care!

Jane, I think I speak for everyone when I say we feel your anger, rage and devastation. It makes my blood boil too everytime I think about it. Know this though - the outpouring of emotion, admiration and community wide respect for Angus today has been outstanding. He's an amazing guy who has the right values, and today leaves a legacy and a mark on the game that is being lauded far and wide. His life will be full for all his days because of it. He will have every avenue of life (other than football) open to him because people support good people. If and when Maynard retires, he will not enjoy a morsel of what Gus has experienced today. Maynard will be remembered fondly by a small number of slack jawed yokels, but otherwise does not and will never have the respect of his peers or the general public. It is easy to see that opposition players already don't respect him, and haven't for years. His post-footy opportunities will be limited by this. The richness and fullness of his life over the long term will be limited by this. We talk about the karma bus - this is what it truly looks like. It's not him copping an injury, or a suspension, or losing an important game - it's the long, slow, day-by-day realisation that he could have been better, and wasn't. Regret and emptiness will be his prize at the end. As for his premiership medal - flags aren't about that. They're about fulfilment, mateship and a sense of accomplishment - and his will always have an asterisk against it. Not in my view, but I can say with some certainty in his own mind. Anyone who has ever felt white line fever will watch that incident and can tell he bumped with intent. Ultimately he won some footy stuff, but left a body behind and lied on the (kangaroo) stand to get it. That's not fulfilment.

Nothing, we were the ones that signed him on a long term deal knowing he could be done at any moment. Medical retirement should mean Gus is taken care of by the league and not salary cap. The only other thing we should’ve got / should get is access to a replacement player by the SSP. It’s crazy to have the deadline last week and Gus announced now. Provision should be made for medical retirements before the first bounce of the season proper.

We're cooked Sorry for Gus

It’s all been said before but I hate the term “spud”. Its unnecessary, insulting and disrespectful. Tomlinson and others may have deficiencies but we all do. Yet we don’t go around calling family members, friends and work colleagues, “spuds”. Just not necessary.

Haven’t been on for ages because I couldn’t deal with the off field drama but I came in response to this news. I’m heartbroken for Gus but absolutely love this photo and it sums up my memory of him for me. Premiership hero and all time great in my mind and my heart. Love you Gus.

The other interesting bit from Gus's letter from a legal perspective is: 'I hope the AFL will be proactive in the future when it comes to the safety of its players as opposed to reactive' The AFL, like any org, is responsible for creating as safe as possible work place. OH&S 101 is identification of risks and mitigation of those risks. Identify the stairs are a slip hazard and put slip protection on - before someone falls down them. That's to say, proactive, not reactive.

The vomit emoji is because you're a tiresome bore. Can you give us all a break and leave one thread free of your wrist slitting.

The Maynard hit took away the career that Gus loved and richly deserved, and for many of us, it took away the love that we had for the game.

I respect your opinions HT, and see what you you are saying, but i strongly disagree with these points (with the exception of the bolded bit). Leaving aside the culpability of Maynard, and any anger i might feel towards him (which for me has dissipated and todays news hasn't really changed that) there is no doubt it was that incident that directly caused Gus to have to retire, not a cumulative effect of multiple head knocks. For one thing he hadn't a concussion in 5 years, as i understand it was regularly tested and was in good brain health. That hit, legal, or not, was akin to a car crash such was its severity. The only thing close i have seen on the footy field watching live is Matthews laying out Steve Smith at Princess Park. In the opening para of his letter to fans Gus makes it crystal clear the reason he has to retire is because of the Maynard hit (my bolded bit): 'Scans taken 2 weeks after the qualifying final against Collingwood compared to scans taken last week revealed further deterioration of my brain as a direct result of the incident I was involved in that September evening. This means that medically, I can no longer continue to play contact sports of any kind to protect my long-term health. Note: the context of the further deterioration he references is a comparison of a recent scan to one taken after the Maynard hit, not historical, cumulative damage levels. Today's not the day to debate the AFL's responsibility and role in this awful situation, suffice to say i absolutely think the AFL's inaction is a causal factor in the incident, as i have little doubt will soon be fully ventilated on court. Happy to come back to this discussion when emotions have cooled, because i think it is an important one and i couldn't agree more with Gus that a lot more needs to be done to address the scourge of concussion (and also with what i read as his implied criticism that not enough has been done, again my bolding): 'The issue of concussion is incredibly important for our game and industry to address over the coming years. We have made great strides in this space, but there is more that needs to be done to safeguard the brains of players not only in the AFL ranks, but from grassroots all the way up. I believe the future of our game will be strongly impacted by how we deal with this element of player safety as more information comes to light. I hope the AFL will be proactive in the future when it comes to the safety of its players as opposed to reactive, so we can continue to enjoy this amazing game and protect the brains of the players. They must be sacrosanct.'

I have just read Angus’s letter Saying goodbye. SWYL shed some tears. He is a Heart and Soul Player that will leave a huge hole within the Club this Season. I am also incredibly ANGRY at the INJUSTICE that Followed that night in September. I have a Filth Mate who i have known since School days. I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO HIM SINCE THAT NIGHT That is how much i HATE The Filth. We must Win FLAGS against these [censored] For Gus and all of us Smash the Bastards at every opportunity This was a Planned Move executed by our Mortal Enemy….

Absolutely shattered. He was a beacon of hope having been draftee in 2014, and one of our most important players both on field and off since then. An absolute tragedy that his career is forced into an early end. We can only hope that he doesn’t suffer any serious long term symptoms and can live his life to the fullest.

Geez sport can deliver the highest of highs and the lowest of lows !

insert many swear words here. half of them are about maynard.

Stayed off this thread all day enjoying a wonderful day. I'm going to go back and watch the third QTR of our premiership game. I firmly believe it was not the "bang bang bang" but Gus Bradshaw's heroics and selfless play leading up to that, that turned the game our way. He was just immense. He never gives in and I will miss watching him do the hard things that others don't when games are on the line. Thank you Angus Brayshaw G A G F AFL for letting it slide and letting Maynard get away with it.

The media should stop using words and phrases like concussion and head knocks. They only serve to minimise what we are really talking about: Brain damage and brain trauma.

And the media took their sycophancy a step further with puff pieces painting Maynard as a top bloke with a heart of gold who was dead unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The second victim of an unfortunate accident. Distraught. Kick to kick with a kid in the park. What a bloke. Flowers for the missus and wine for Gus. Sweetheart. Supposed to be on the downlow, but surprise, suprise, somehow the media get wind of it and dutifully report it. A soft ball interview with an emotional Maynard. Poor fella. The AFL wasn't going to allow the product to affected. A pies flag is gold. And the remora media, who also have their snouts in the pies trough, are more than happy to help out.

This is one of the best-written things I’ve read in years.

If the AFL has created a substitute for game day to compensate a team that loses a player due to concussion, it would seem to me a logical step for the AFL to allow a team to replace a player on its list who is forced into a medical retirement because of concussion. Clubs should not have to be forced to wait to do so until the next available draft period. If nothing else, it puts unnecessary pressure on players contemplating retirement due to concussion who may feel they are leaving their team one short.

What a brilliant heart and soul player Gus has been for us. Putting aside the impact this will have on the team on field, off field his presence will be irreplaceable. I don't think I will ever get over the Maynard incident. It still burns in my stomach, and my interest in football has not been the same since. I hope there is a special place waiting in hell for him. Washing Gus all the very best. He has a bright and long future ahead and he deserves to live out his life with a healthy body and mind. Thank you for always putting our club first. It's time you put your health first now.

Feel sad for Gus, wish him the best, he didn’t get justice for having his health and career ruined and I hope sues the effing [censored] out of the AFL.

Devastating for Gus. We’ve taken some hits over the last 6 months with all the issues, however this one will have a lasting effect on the team for 2024

Terrible news. Wish Gus all the very best for the future. He was a family favourite for us, our son is also an Angus. Pic is of Gus signing our son's footy at Manuka in 2015. Their epic conversation went something like this... Angus (5yo): Your name is Angus Angus B: Yep Angus (5yo): My name is Angus too Angus B: Good name isn't it Angus (5yo): yep

I’ve fallen out of love with footy.

Too upset to comment properly at the moment. Had to remove myself from the office at work as was tearing up. My favorite player just retired too soon and its heartbreaking. Take care Angus, we all care about you so much and feeling for you at the moment.

Bombers of 2000 say hello. What a BS article.