Players who 'flaunt the rules' lashed by Dees great

Melbourne legend David Schwarz has slammed AFL players who “flaunt the rules” of the game after premiership Demon Angus Brayshaw was forced into early retirement due to his concussion battle.

9News reporter Tom Morris broke the news of Brayshaw’s retirement on Thursday as the star midfielder informed teammates he was hanging up the boots immediately under medical instruction, despite still having five years remaining on his contract.

Morris reported the 28-year-old was given a precautionary scan on his brain recently and when the results came back, his footballing future was taken out of his hands.

Devastatingly, Brayshaw’s final involvement on the football field was the polarising incident with Brayden Maynard in September, an action which has since been outlawed by the AFL.

Melbourne insiders still maintain Maynard’s attempted smother was not a football act and the defender, who was taken in the same draft as Brayshaw, should have been suspended.

Schwarz declared that “it sucks” that Brayshaw has been forced to give up on his passion while other players don’t have to make sacrifices for their on-field behaviour.

“I think it really sucks that a player like that has to give up the game because of a medical injury or a serious medical problem,” Schwarz told 3AW Radio on Thursday.

“And then you’ve got other players that just take the mickey out of the game and flaunt the rules and they get to play.”

The versatile ball-winner resolved to continue his career as recently as four months ago and was training well across pre-season, but ultimately his sixth concussion in the AFL was one too many.

“I think good news for him in some respect that he’s got an understanding of how serious have been and what the consequences can be if he continues to play,” Schwarz said.

“From a supporters point of view, devastation that he won’t be playing because he is … not only a great player, but a great human.”

Early in 2016, Brayshaw was concussed twice in three weeks and began wearing a helmet shortly after.

Farewelling a Demon who has embodied the spirit of the red + blue for close to a decade. 💔

Gus will be medically retired from the game, effective immediately.

📝 | https://t.co/kV0AVPkvRK pic.twitter.com/4bUxyg5b1N

— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) February 22, 2024

Brayshaw is the second player selected in the top three of the 2014 draft to retire due to the effects of concussion following Swan Paddy McCartin’s decision last August.

Paul Seedsman, Marcus Adams and Max Lynch also retired in 2023 for concussion-related reasons.

Brayshaw told teammates of his sad news on Thursday, also speaking via a statement from the Demons.

“I am really proud of what I have achieved over the past decade. I have been able to live out my childhood dream and while it’s been cut short, I am forever grateful to everyone who has been involved,” Brayshaw said in the club’s statement.

Angus Brayshaw has announced his retirement.

“I want to especially thank my teammates, my coaches and the staff at the Melbourne Football Club, for all they have done for me over the years. I also want to thank my family and my partner Danielle for their endless support.

“To every member and fan, thank you for your incredible support over the journey.

“Concussion is a massive issue facing our game. I hope from this, a terrible result for me personally, can come some positive outcomes for the future of player safety.”