The football star remains in tears at the Brownlow Medal Stadium as he speaks about the “deep emptiness” he feels following his shock retirement

Angus Brayshaw thrilled the crowd at the Brownlow Medal on Monday night as the recently retired Melbourne hero spoke about how he has adapted to life outside the game.

The 28-year-old was forced to retire before the start of the 2024 season after suffering a series of concussions throughout his career.

In Melbourne, Brayshaw paid tribute to the retiring class of 2024 at the sport’s most prestigious awards night, which saw the likes of Dustin Martin and Tom Hawkins bid farewell to the sport after illustrious playing careers.

There are also players who, like Brayshaw, have had to withdraw for medical reasons, including Nathan Murphy, Josh Carmichael and Aiden O’Driscoll.

“I’m a retired AFL footballer and I’m here tonight on behalf of the retiring class of 2024,” Brayshaw said.

‘It’s been about 8 months since I was retired for medical reasons and just over a year since I played my last game. I’m not going to lie, the absence of football has left a very deep void.

‘Days that were planned down to the minute and filled with purpose need to be replaced and in time they will be.

“Football is an activity that absorbs you completely, no matter how long your career has been. No matter how well you prepare, the transition is difficult and there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to avoid it.”

Brayshaw also launched a brazen attack on Martin, whose future remains uncertain despite his retirement last month.

“Whether it’s Dustin Martin, who I consulted before I came here and he’s still officially retired, he’s won every award you can win as a player,” Brayshaw said.

‘Or if you’re a kid like Aiden O’Dirscoll, who was a young man who dreamed of doing what Dusty did, but unfortunately was medically retired due to a concussion in his first pre-season. We, the class that retires in 2024, should be incredibly proud.

‘I hope we have brought pride and joy to our families, our friends, our loved ones, our teammates, our clubs and also to many fans.

‘We have all fulfilled our dreams to a greater or lesser extent, which is a privilege that we should never lose sight of. Equally important is looking to the future, and the truth, surprisingly, is that there is a life after football, which is a relief.

‘Tom Hawkins played 359 games. He came in as a kid and leaves the game with several games of his own. And while his career may seem like a lifetime, he, like the rest of us, will soon discover there is much more to see and do.

‘Our playing careers are over and there are feelings of sadness, grief, uncertainty, anger and anxiety, no doubt.

‘But as the door to the game closes behind us, many others are ready for us, as we make the transition from this rigid, structured existence into the great unknown.

‘I sincerely hope that everyone retiring in 2024 finds something that gives them the passion and purpose that playing AFL brings me.’