Just under two months into his leadership role, Andy Brayshaw is already looking to further develop his leadership craft.
Elevated to the leadership group in February this year, Brayshaw believed he could use his position to bridge any gaps between the experienced and younger players on Freo’s list.
“I think moving forward, the boys are trusting me a bit more to lead on the field and direct them off-field as well,” Brayshaw said at the time of his appointment.
The 21-year-old joined a stable leadership group which includes David Mundy (in his 12th year as a leader), Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters, Alex Pearce and Reece Conca.
While leadership aspirations were in mind, Brayshaw didn’t expect the vote of confidence from his peers to come ahead of just his fourth AFL season.
“I wasn’t really expecting it this year, it’s something that I wanted, to get into the leadership group down the track,” Brayshaw told Freo’s Final Siren with Duck and Oz post-match podcast.
“The boys just backed me in, as did the coaches, so I was pretty stoked to get the opportunity.”
A popular member amongst the group, Brayshaw has been leaning on senior leaders such as Fyfe, Mundy and Conca to assist him with the more challenging aspects to leadership.
“I’ve been trying to build on my relationships in terms of having the harder conversations with blokes, because I’m a bit of a get around guy and I try to bring positive vibes,” Brayshaw said.
“Now, I’m just trying to tweak a few things and be able to have the harder conversations …it’s really challenging but really fun to try and build on that side of leadership.
“Nath, Dave and Reece Conca have been really huge in that asset for me.”
Brayshaw also said it ‘was a great feeling’ to witness the rise of young ruckman Lloyd Meek over the past few months after working hard on his ruck craft.
Meek enjoyed his first AFL win against the Giants, taking the lead in the ruck at the centre bounce and stoppages around the ground while fellow ruck Sean Darcy played mostly forward.
“Lloyd has always been working super hard for his chance,” Brayshaw said.
“He has pretty much stepped into the team over this pre-season and he hasn’t taken a step backwards.
“He has earnt a lot of respect, he works so hard on his craft, on the track and in the gym.
“To see him come in and play really solid pre-season games and then rounds one and two…it’s a credit to how hard he works.”
