On the drive up the Mitchell Freeway for Sunday’s JLT Community Series clash with West Coast at HBF Arena, first-year midfielder Andrew Brayshaw was already talking a big game in the engine room alongside teammate Lachie Neale.
In the wash-up of Freo’s 62-point win, it was Neale who was the clear best on ground, collecting 36 disposals and kicking three goals.
Brayshaw collected 19 disposals, with 10 of those contested, and brought the pressure against the Eagles mids by laying a game-high nine tackles.
Luckily for the 18-year-old Brayshaw, he knew where to pick his battles.
“He’s been great living with me and he drives me to perform,” Neale said of Brayshaw.
“In the car on the way to the game, he was asking me how many tackles I was going to have, saying he was going to out tackle me, and he did that.
“He’s a really driven kid and a bit cheeky but we don’t mind a little bit of that.”
SECURE YOUR TICKETS FOR FREO'S ROUND THREE 'AWAY' GAME AT OPTUS STADIUM!
Brayshaw has added two kilos to his frame since his arrival at Fremantle in the 2017 NAB AFL National Draft and Neale feels he has the capabilities to compete at AFL level come round one.
“He’s really level-headed and doesn’t get ahead of himself, which is a really important trait,” Neale said.
“I think you saw it today. His contested ball was really strong in the contest, when tackling he puts his head over it.
“I think he’s three kilos heavier than me, so I think his body’s ready for it. He’s ready to go I reckon.”
