When Andrew Brayshaw first joined Fremantle, he found himself in the company of some of the Club's most esteemed leaders.

These early experiences have significantly shaped his approach to leadership, culminating in his first opportunity to captain the team against Sydney in round 16 when captain Alex Pearce was first sidelined with a forearm fracture.

Brayshaw recently shared insights into the role models who influenced him and the advice that has guided his leadership journey on the Club’s Better Down Back Podcast, powered by MyPlace.

Upon his arrival at Fremantle after being selected with pick two in the 2017 National Draft, Brayshaw was fortunate to live with then-captain Nat Fyfe during his first Christmas in WA.

"He (Fyfe) was generous enough to let me stay at his house, and I sort of just watched what he did," Brayshaw recalled.

Fyfe's leadership style left a lasting impression on the young player.

Soon after in his first full season, Brayshaw moved in with then Fremantle player Lachie Neale, another prominent leader at the Club.

Living with Neale for a year allowed Brayshaw to observe a contrasting yet equally effective approach to leadership.

"He was a completely different sort of leader (to Fyfe) but also an outstanding leader," Brayshaw noted.

"They both are very different in the way they go about it, but I’d have to say they are probably my two biggest role models in terms of leadership."

In addition to Fyfe and Neale, Brayshaw has also benefited from the mentorship of Bob Murphy, who is renowned for his leadership qualities during his playing days at the Western Bulldogs.

"Bob Murphy now as well at the Club… he’s been really great probably the last two years," Brayshaw said.

The stability of having the same leadership group for two consecutive years has also been a significant factor in his development.

Reflecting on a challenging 2022 season for the Club, Brayshaw acknowledged the difficulties faced by the leadership group.

"Last year was a tougher year for the footy Club, we didn’t have as many wins as we wanted to, and we didn’t perform the way we wanted to,” Brayshaw said.

“Which can make it a little bit tougher on the leadership group, often you blame yourselves and question whether you are leading well enough.”

However, the team's improved performance this year has bolstered not only Brayshaw’s confidence, but the collective group all together.

"This year we’ve had more wins, are playing the brand of footy we want to play, and I feel like we’re leading a lot better," he said.

Being part of Fremantle’s leadership group for consecutive seasons, and taking notes from the leaders around him as a younger player had Brayshaw held in good stead when the time came for him to step in to role of captain during the Club’s round 16 win over the Swans, but it was a crucial bit of advice and support received from senior coach Justin Longmuir that enabled Brayshaw to truly make the role his own.

"It was JL (Justin Longmuir) who had a chat to me at probably the start of this year and just said, ‘just keep being your authentic self, you bring something different that others don’t," Brayshaw shared.

Longmuir encouraged him not to conform to expectations but to lead in his own unique way.

"Don’t think you have to lead how you think I want you to lead, don’t think you have to run meetings how you think I want them run," Brayshaw recalled Longmuir advising to him.

This endorsement to be himself was echoed by Murphy, reinforcing the importance of authenticity in leadership.

When the time came on game day, Brayshaw decided to lean on this advice.

His approach was well-received, earning positive feedback from his teammates as Fremantle marched to their most impressive win of the season, toppling ladder leader Sydney at the SCG to snap their 10-game winning streak.

"I’m one from one as skipper, so I’m pretty happy!" Brayshaw concluded with a smile.