National recruiting manager Jason Taylor said Brayshaw’s “genuine footy smarts” were a highlight of his game. He added that it was “splitting hairs” between Brayshaw and Petracca at No.2 and No.3.
“The standout feature of Angus’ game is his absolute combatitiveness. He never takes a backward step – he’s just a ferocious tackler for his age,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“He has a unique ability either side of his body and craftiness in how he finds the footy.
“The other thing with Angus is that he has the ability to hit the scoreboard from the midfield. We think that’s imperative the midfielders have the ability to hit the scoreboard and Angus does that regularly.”
He has been strongly linked to Melbourne for quite some time, having been regarded as a top five pick from the start of the year and looms as an outstanding acquisition.
A 187cm midfielder and member of the NAB AFL Academy level two squad, Brayshaw has the ability to turn a game and has fine skills on both feet. He possesses genuine leadership qualities and is remarkably competitive.
He is a clearance specialist and can read the game exceptionally well. Brayshaw can also play up forward.
One of his best performances in 2014 was for Sandringham Dragons, when he collected 29 disposals and booted three goals in its final TAC Cup round of the season. But an ankle injury interrupted him late in the year.
Brayshaw is the son of ex-North Melbourne player, former Richmond chief executive and now interim AFLCA chief executive Mark, nephew of former first-class cricketer and now media personality James Brayshaw and grandson of former Western Australian cricketer Ian Brayshaw.
