Footy star who retired due to concussion lands new career

Less than a month after medically retiring from the AFL, Angus Brayshaw is already back on Melbourne’s bench.

The former midfielder, who retired in February due to repeated concussions, has joined the Demons’ coaching staff in a part-time role, working predominantly from the bench on match days.

Brayshaw, 28, was on the Demons’ bench for the first time as a coach in Sunday’s 45-point win over the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

“He’ll just dip his toe into some of the part-time work later in the week,” Goodwin said.

He wants to be around our group and of course on match day, just helping train on the bench.

The 28-year-old was forced into retirement due to concussion issues

‘He brings enormous energy to our club and today was the first step in that and we just want to continue to assess how that looks.

‘It was his first crack so he was good. He was very positive down there, which is what you want.

‘Yes, we want our players going to the field in a really positive mindset because that’s when people really grow.’

Goodwin said he would ‘debrief’ with Brayshaw over coffee later this week.

Brayshaw’s coaching role is unrelated to his playing contract.

The AFL will have to make a decision on whether Brayshaw’s salary, expected to be paid in full, will be included in Melbourne’s salary cap or exempt.

There were plenty of blue helmets among Melbourne fans in the crowd on Sunday in tribute to Brayshaw’s career.

“Angus today is a big part of our football club,” Goodwin said.

‘We love what he brings to our football club, we’ve done that for a long, long time and he’s an important person for us.

Brayshaw was spotted on Melbourne’s bench during their match on Sunday

The Demons beat the Western Bulldogs in their first game of the new season

‘It’s fantastic that our supporters can show what Angus means to them.

‘We’ve got a little award that we give out internally, the ‘Demon Spirit’ award, we’ve got that (Brayshaw’s) helmet as part of our journey for this year.

‘And our supporters have obviously bought into that.’

Goodwin said it was ‘a bit too much’ to suggest Melbourne were dedicating their season to the midfielder.

“But there is definitely a legacy that he has left at our club,” he added.

“There is a legacy that he has been able to leave around our culture, the way we work, the way we train, the way we drive standards, the way we perform.

‘And he’s a big part of that, he’s left a legacy and we want to honor that.’