ANGUS Brayshaw was struck down by an elbow injury in the lead up to Melbourne’s pre-season camp, but that’s not stopping him from making the most of the trip up North.

The midfielder, whose training program had previously been uninterrupted, was involved in an incident last week that is set to keep him away from the main group.

“I was smothering Toby Bedford at training and unfortunately … my elbow moved in a way it probably shouldn’t have and I’ve done a bit of damage to it,” Brayshaw told Melbourne Media.

“I can still run luckily enough so I’ve been slaving away on the back oval, but it’s going to be a while.”

Brayshaw is currently stuck wearing a large cast on his elbow to prevent any further damage, but hopes to see the back of it in the coming weeks.

“It’s hard to tell, it just depends how fast all the tenants and ligaments heel,” he said.

“Hopefully two weeks but I’m not really sure. It’s locked up pretty tight and will be for at least two weeks.”

While no injury is ideal at any time of the year, Brayshaw sees this as an opportunity to build his fitness in the lead up to Round 1.

“It’s a lot of running – straight line up and back, nothing really interesting,” he said.

“I can hear all the boys training on the other oval as I’m running which makes it a bit harder because they’re obviously having fun and doing all the interesting training stuff.

“Boring stuff but I think I’ll actually get fitter just by doing it.

“It’s hard work still so that’s good from that sense – I’ll be able to probably build some fitness going into the season.

“I thought I was done for this morning, so if I can get a few more sessions like that in then I’ll be better for it absolutely.”

Training aside, the 24-year-old is also missing out on some of the fun the boys are having during their spare time, but he’s still enjoying the chance to bond with his teammates.

“A few of the boys brought the golf clubs up but I can’t really swing with this,” Brayshaw said.

“I used to go fishing on the river – I can’t do much of that either, can’t cast it.

“I’ll be sitting around a bit but cooking dinner with everyone and playing board games … so just spending some quality time with everyone.

“I love getting away and having fun together, it’s good.”