Andrew Brayshaw may have smashed his career-best disposal count with 39 against Richmond on Sunday, but defender Luke Ryan felt this stat alone did not sum up what the midfielder delivered in Freo's four-point win.

To put Brayshaw’s efforts into context, it was only the second time a Fremantle player aged 21 or younger had more than 38 disposals in a game.

As well as eight clearances, two of which came in the crucial final minute, Brayshaw laid 12 tackles including one that arguably saved the game late in the contest.

Ryan said that as a defender, a midfielder that holds up the opposition is priceless.

“He's a workhorse, he does it week in week out,” Ryan told 6PR.

“He always tries and for him to get 39 touches, it's not bad, but what we love about him is the tackles, not so much to touches.

“His chase down in the last quarter was unbelievable. The backs were, how do you say, (we were exhausted), but his run-down tackle really saved us and it probably won us the game to be honest.”

Ryan also praised second-year defender Hayden Young, who was among Freo’s best with 23 disposals and a team-high nine intercepts.

“He's obviously building as it's his second game back after a pretty nasty injury,” Ryan said.

“He was really courageous, composed and is just a smart kid.

“He's a leader already and he's only played a handful of games. To have him back down there, it’s really good for the club and he's going to be really good player for us for a long period of time.”

When asked about how his good friend and housemate Brennan Cox was recovering from a hamstring injury, Ryan admitted the defender was targeting a surprise late-season return, but added that fans shouldn’t get too excited.

“I think he was ahead of schedule by 10 days or so,” Ryan said.

“He'll put his hand up much as he can.  We'd love to have him back and he's an outstanding player.

“We just don’t want to rush him and stuff him up for his pre-season, so the club will do the right thing by him.”

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