ASSISTANT coach Justin Plapp says Angus Brayshaw has handled himself with aplomb, after his younger brother Andrew suffered a broken jaw and several displaced teeth, following a strike from West Coast’s Andrew Gaff during last Sunday’s match at Optus Stadium.
Andrew, who plays for Fremantle, will miss the rest of the season, while Gaff has been suspended for eight matches – also ruling him out for the remainder of 2018.
Plapp, who is Angus’ midfield coach, said the outstanding young Demon had coped with the situation as best as possible – watching the situation unfold from across the other side of the country.
“It’s pretty public about what’s happened. I think that it’s been pretty well advertised about how Angus feels about it and I think it’s really healthy the way he’s spoken about it, as a close family member,” he told Melbourne Media.
“He’s carried himself really well and he’s got a bit of empathy around the situation, but he’s also got a fair bit of empathy around his brother as well, in terms of what’s happened to him.
“Just in brief, we’ve spoken about it and he’s clearly upset, but I think the whole Brayshaw family has handled it really well. It’s hard for me to comment on it, because I haven’t got any brothers, but I can only imagine how I’d feel.
“Gus was pretty vocal about how it made him feel, but I think he’s got a pretty good handle on what’s happened.”
Looking ahead to this Sunday’s clash against the Sydney Swans at the MCG, Plapp said the players couldn’t wait to test themselves against a quality opposition.
“It’s a game we’re excited by and looking forward to because we’re coming to the pointy end of the season and things are pretty tight,” he said.
“Our past few weeks have been really solid, but the opportunity to go to another level is exciting opportunity for our players.
“We know how we function best as a team and what our key things are and the things that we value, so if we’re at our best in those areas, the result will take care of itself. We see this as a great opportunity this weekend.”
