Angus Brayshaw – Deck of DT 2023

Player	Angus Brayshaw
Club	Melbourne
Position	DEF
Price	$878,000
Bye	R14
2022 avg	99.1
2022 gms	22
Proj. avg	102
Draft range	Late 2nd / Early 3rd

Click here for 2023 Fantasy Classic prices.

Why should I pick him?

After a monster finish to 2018, storming home to finish 3rd in the Brownlow it had been a steady decline for Helmet. With averages of 88, 79 (adjusted) and 66.5 following his career year it was easy to write off the fallen premium. However after Christian Salem went down in Round 1 Gus was back. Slotting nicely into the Demon’s backline as their number one distributor he has found a new lease on life. Going on to average 95.6 points, 8.5 marks and 24.7 disposals including a monster 156 with 20 marks.

Upon Salem’s return in Round 12 there was no slowing either, Gus went on average 102.5 for the remainder of the home and away season. However it was from rounds 20 until the end of the season where Gus gained his final scoring bump as he was injected into the midfield. Coming into finals it was clear the Demons’ forward line wasn’t as potent as it was in their premiership season. With Christian Petracca being thrust forward for parts of game and his CBAs dropping from an average of 82.5% to 51.7%, there was a gaping hole in CBA rotations, up steps Gus. From no CBAs for the year to 65.75% in 4 games to finish the home and away season alongside an average of 106.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

After a straight sets exit from the 2022 finals, partnered with Brayshaws boost in CBA’s it’s easy to form an argument that the experiment didn’t stand up when it needed to. Plus the addition of another dominant ruck is Christian Petracca still needed to play forward quite as much? Pushing Brayshaw either out to a wing to play a more defensive role with the likes of Langdon and Hunter the more attacking weapons roaming the wing.

With Salem returning, the additions of Lachie Hunter and Brodie Grundy could Simon Goodwin look to use Brayshaw in a similar role to what saw them assert their dominance and secure the Premiership in 2021? If he does then Brayshaw is almost certainly a trap priced at 99 and put in a role where he couldn’t even push 70.

Deck of DT Rating.

KING

In a season where we have lost so many reliable names in our backline, Brayshaw could be the safe scoring option with the potential of 5+ points upside. Priced at 99.1 by no means is he a competition winning pick if you think he’s only got that upside, however if he can return to his high scoring ways of the past he could get out of reach of coaches early. With the added bonus of behind Docherty he feels the pick of the premium Defenders with minimal question marks(See below).

Sinclair (Priced at 102)
Saw tags come his way late in the year showing teams a way in to slowing St Kilda’s ball movement plus a new coach doesn’t scream upside.

Dawson (Priced at 100)
By far the Crows’ best ball user wherever he plays, Dawson saw tags come his way late in the season and GWS round 1, if there’s any risk of a tag early it’s a hard pass.

Sicily (Priced at 96)
Another potential tag target in a side with very few options. Coupled with the potential to play tall and accountable Sicily comes with huge flags.

In either role in 2022 Brayshaw showed he’s a genuine top 6 defender with averages of 97.6 as a rebounding defender and 106 as an inside mid. With another preseason to train as a mid Brayshaw can prove to be a valuable asset in a line riddled with question marks.

 

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