Touted as a walk-up start after his arrival at Fremantle, no.2 pick Andrew Brayshaw isn’t taking his spot in Freo’s starting 22 for granted.
Speaking at Fremantle’s AFL season launch at Perth Convention Exhibition Centre on Tuesday, Brayshaw gave a mature response when asked about his prospects for starting against Port Adelaide on 24 March.
“That would be great. All summer you work hard and try and get a round one spot,” Brayshaw said.
“At the end of the day if that doesn’t happen I’ll go to the WAFL. I’ll work hard and we’ve got a really good side running out on the weekend and a lot of boys knocking the door down to try and get games.
“If it’s not me it’s someone else and I know we’ll do well no matter what team we have out on the park.”
The midfielder said the step up to playing against AFL opponents has been eye-opening.
“It’s been a massive change from under 18s footy,” Brayshaw said.
“You blink at this level and the ball can be down the other end. The transition is probably the biggest thing I’ve noticed moving up to the next level.
“It’s a big step up but I’ve got the boys around me and supporting me.”
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Some of that support is coming right from the top in Fremantle’s leadership ranks, with Brayshaw living with captain Nat Fyfe prior to moving in with Lachie Neale after Christmas.
“They’ve been huge in my growth just over the past few months,” Brayshaw said.
“Just watching how professional they are, Nat’s a Brownlow Medallist and Lachie a Doig Medallist.
“It goes to show the more driven you are and the harder you work, the more success you’ll have in your career.”
