Melbourne star Angus Brayshaw is preparing to undergo brain scans as doubts surround his playing future in the AFL.
Brayshaw was knocked out in a botched smothering attempt by Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard during Thursday night’s qualifying final.
Maynard collided with Brayshaw in an incident that led to a rough conduct charge, with the Magpies defender sent straight to the tribunal.
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Brayshaw has been ruled out of Friday night’s semi-final against Carlton as he remains in concussion protocols.
The 27-year-old suffered four concussions in 12 months and was sidelined for long periods across 2016 and 2017, and his family are deeply concerned for his future.
Angus Brayshaw was stretchered off during the loss to Collingood. Credit: Getty Images
“I spoke to him earlier on today, he’s having some scans on his brain from the same doctor who looked after him a few years ago,” brother Hamish Brayshaw told Channel 7.
“Health comes number one and he’s got a life to live after football so I think that’ll be something he assesses in the off-season and whether or not his body can keep going, time will tell.”
Brayshaw’s concussion battle is a terrible twist for his extended family with Brayshaw engaged to Danny Frawley’s daughter, Danielle.
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St Kilda great Danny Frawley died in a single-vehicle car crash in late 2019 with an analysis of his brain finding he had signs of CTE.
Anita Frawley, the widow of Danny, has since become a lead campaigner for concussion issues in the AFL.
The incident is looming as a massive test case for the AFL with Maynard to front the tribunal on Tuesday afternoon.
“He was making a play at the footy and it was a footy play,” teammate Steele Sidebottom told reporters on Monday.
“There was no malice in it. Bruz (Maynard) is a fair player and it’s just unfortunate the way it ended.
“You’ve watched how he plays – he hasn’t really ever stepped over the line.
“When he goes out there to play, he plays hard and fair. That’s what I see from Brayden.”
– With AAP.
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