Melbourne has secured the prized signature of premiership star Angus Brayshaw, who’s turned his back on free agency to sign a mega extension with the Demons.
The Dees on Thursday confirmed Brayshaw had put pen to paper on a six-year deal that ties him to the club until at least the end of 2028.
It comes just days after Brayshaw told SEN he hadn’t decided whether he’d stay at the club beyond this year, labelling it “the most important decision I’ve got to make”.
Brayshaw, who was eligible for free agency, was reported to have met with Essendon last week, while Fremantle had also been linked to the rebounding defender.
But Brayshaw joined teammates Clayton Oliver (signed until 2030) and Christian Petracca (2029) in signing a long-term deal to stay at Melbourne.
“Angus is a leader of our club and to have him commit long term is a brilliant result. His talent is obvious to all and his willingness to put the team first and play whatever role we need him to is a testament to his character,” Dees list manager Tim Lamb.
“This signing is another great endorsement for the culture we have created and we know Angus will continue to drive standards within the group.
“The versatility he has displayed across his career makes him an enormous asset to our club. The great thing is Angus still has enormous growth in his game and we are excited about what he will produce in the future.
“This deal means another key pillar of our playing group will play out his career with us which is an important part of our strategy going forward. The example that our leaders have set in committing to stay together to try to achieve something special should give our members and supporters great confidence in the direction we are taking.”
Broadcaster Gerard Whateley told SEN that Brayshaw’s new deal “feels really significant”.
“His interview with SEN Breakfast earlier in the week, it was compelling, the honesty to talk through what was going into his decision. There were parts of it I felt didn’t provide much comfort if you were Melbourne,” he said on SEN’s Whateley.
“The all-in nature of trying to win a premiership, this is the moment for Melbourne, I feel like Round 20 is it.
“Sharpen up now, and Brayshaw does this on the way into the Friday night game, it feels really significant to me.”
The Demons will now wait for Rising Star Luke Jackson to make a call on his future, with the ruckman heavily linked to a move to Fremantle.
It continues a big day of re-signings in the AFL, with dual premiership Tiger Liam Baker penning a two-year extension to remain at Punt Road until the end of 2024.
Baker had interest from the Western Australian clubs, in particular the Eagles, amid a career-best season from the 24-year old.
But he’s now committed his future to Richmond in a key coup for the club.
“Liam is an important player for us both on and off the field,” Tigers general manager of football talent Blair Hartley.
“He is very popular among players, staff, and coaches, an excellent contributor to our culture, and an important part of our future.
“Liam has worked extremely hard since coming to the Club as a rookie selection from Western Australia and has been rewarded with individual and team success.
“We look forward to watching Liam continue to grow as a footballer, leader, and person across the next two years and beyond.”
Baker has played 82 games since joining the Tigers vis the 2017 Rookie Draft, finishing runner-up to Dylan Grimes in last year’s best and fairest.
His signature comes in a week where triple-premiership Tiger Kane Lambert called time on his AFL career, while Matthew Parker has returned to WA for family reasons.
