Melbourne youngster Angus Brayshaw has been rewarded for his consistent season by taking out the Round 10 Rising Star nomination.
The gong confirms back-to-back nominations for the Demons – the 11th time consecutive nominations have been recorded in the award’s history – following forward Jesse Hogan last week.
Brayshaw, who was taken at pick 3 in the 2014 draft, collected 18 disposals, 15 kicks and three handballs, six tackles, seven inside fifties, four goal assists, and kicked a goal in Monday’s Queen’s Birthday clash with Collingwood.
The 19-year-old has played every game for the Demons in 2015, averaging 13 disposals, three inside fifties, and more than five tackles a game in his debut season.
Brayshaw has shown an aptitude for defensive pressure in his first ten games of his career, leading the club and being 16th in competition for tackles with 55 for the year.
He’s also leading the club and inside the top 20 players in the League for goal assists in 2015.
The 187cm midfielder has also shown composure and skill beyond his years, particularly when kicking with his opposite foot.
“there’s a bit of competition between us but it just helps make life so much easier” – Christian Petracca
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Brayshaw said he’s always been able to use his left foot when needed but is trying to use his preferred side more often when in space.
“For as long as I can remember I’ve been able to kick on my left foot and I don’t ever remember having trouble doing it so for a long time now it’s just whatever’s more appropriate at the time to use,” Brayshaw said.
“But Roosy’s trying to get me to use my right foot a lot more because obviously it’s my preferred foot. It’s just handy coming out of stoppages when there’s no time to get onto your right, it’s a handy little tool to have.”
Brayshaw is the third player from last year’s draft to be nominated for the Ron Evans Medal. The player taken a pick ahead of him, fellow teammate Christian Petracca told Channel Nine’s TAC Cup Future Stars program on Sunday Brayshaw has helped his transition into the League.
“It’s made AFL life so much easier being with someone who I’ve actually looked up to in terms of playing that midfield role and off the field he’s so professional,” Petracca said.
“He’s a great bloke and being drafted with a good mate is just so good because he’s always there with you in the change rooms. We probably do get sick of each other a little bit and there’s a bit of competition between us but it just helps make life so much easier being with him.”
Brayshaw is the son of former North Melbourne player and current AFL Coaches Association’s CEO Mark Brayshaw and the nephew of media personality and current North President James Brayshaw.
"He could do with a bit more swagger…get up and about!"
JB on Angus Brayshaw after he came on the show then got the Rising Star nod— Triple M's Rush Hour (@TripleMRushHour) June 9, 2015
He is the Demons’ 36th play to be nominated for the Rising Star since the award’s inception in 1993 – overtaking Essendon as the club with the most in the competition.
He also joins teammate Jesse Hogan as the club’s only players to be nominated since Jack Viney received the Round 21 gong in 2013. Melbourne has one winner of the award – Jared Rivers in 2004.
RISING STAR NOMINEES FOR 2015
Round 1 – Kamdyn McIntosh (Richmond)
Round 2 – Mitch Honeychurch (Western Bulldogs)
Round 3 – Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans)
Round 4 – Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
Round 5 – Adam Saad (Gold Coast SUNS)
Round 6 – Cory Gregson (Geelong)
Round 7 – Billy Hartung (Hawthorn)
Round 8 – Cameron McCarthy (GWS Giants)
Round 9 – Jesse Hogan (Melbourne)
Round 10 – Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)