Melbourne Demons midfielder Angus Brayshaw has been encouraged to explore his options as he remains one of eight restricted free agents in the competition after the AFL updated their bandings list on Wednesday.
Brayshaw is reportedly "attracting a lot of interest" from rival clubs, according to Tim Watson on SEN Breakfast this morning.
"Heโs attracting a lot of interest, thatโs all Iโm going to say," Watson said.
Watson claimed it would be in Brayshaw's personal interests to potentially part ways with the club given he has changed his role in the side.
Brayshaw held down a solid defensive-wing role in last year's premiership side, but now occupies the half-back flank.
โMaybe heโs not completely and utterly happy and comfortable playing the role they require him to play at Melbourne, as good as he is at it," Watson continued.
โHe was a midfielder that was third in the Brownlow, he was then nearly a Norm Smith medallist playing on a wing โ which he wasnโt thrilled about but turned out being one of the best wingmen in the comp โ and now he could be an All-Australian half-back flanker because heโs covering for an injured Christian Salem.
Now down back, Angus Brayshaw has had a huge impact so far this season.
He also popped up with a classy goal yesterday. #AFLDeesSaints pic.twitter.com/fKvo31UMpE
— Melbourne Footy (@MelbourneFooty) May 9, 2022
โNow Christian Salem, Iโm told, will be back in the next few weeks, so maybe then heโll go back to the wing.โ
Former Demons player Garry Lyon replied by saying "he should be in everyone's sights".
"Heโs a fine, fine player. Now why youโd want to leave that club right now, I donโt know, it would only be a matter of money," Lyon said.
Averaging an elite 25.5 disposals, nine marks, and an above-average 367 metres gained per game, Brayshaw's asking price would certainly be high, but Watson believes it would be more than a contract figure that could lure him away from the Demons.
"No, not just money," he said in reply to Lyon.
"Maybe, if youโre looking for another reason. There are reasons outside money sometimes. Opportunity โฆ being valued as a player that you believe you should be valued as.โ
Defender
Disposals
Marks
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Melbourne will be keeping a close eye on Brayshaw's movement as they look to cement their premiership roster. But salary cap space may force them to part ways with premiership stars, with players such as Luke Jackson continuously targeted by WA clubs.
Restricted free agents qualify by way of being in their eighth or ninth seasons at their clubs, while also being in the top 25 per cent of the club's earners.
Darcy Gardiner (Brisbane)
Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
Kyle Langford (Essendon)
Alex Pearce (Fremantle)
James Sicily (Hawthorn)
Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)
Kane Lambert (Richmond)
Lance Franklin (Sydney)
Angus Brayshaw has played 127 senior games since being selected at pick No.3 in the 2014 draft.
