Melbourne fan favourite Angus Brayshaw has melted hearts with a stunning toast to the class of retired players at the Brownlow Medal on Monday night.
Brayshaw was forced to retire on the eve of the season after a string of concussions throughout his career.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Angus Brayshaw’s speech at Brownlow Medal.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
The 28-year-old was tasked with farewelling players at the AFL’s night of nights.
This year’s group has no shortage of superstars with Dustin Martin and Tom Hawkins among those to have called it a day after a long list of accolades.
But at the other end of the scale, there were Nathan Murphy, Josh Carmichael and Aiden O’Driscoll, who were all medically retired like Brayshaw.
Brayshaw admitted it was an “awkward” speech to make it and opened up on the “deep void” he now has.
“It’s certainly not lost in me that I’m making a toast to a group which I now belong, which is a bit awkward but it is an honour to do so nonetheless,” Brayshaw began.
“It’s been about eight months since I was medically retired, and just over a year since I played my last game of AFL, so I had a little bit of a head start on the retirees.
“But I’m not going to lie, the absence of football has left a very deep void. Days that were planned to the minute and filled with purpose need to be replaced. And in time, they will be.
“Football is all consuming, no matter how long your career was, how successful it was, or even how well you prepared for the next stage; the transition is difficult, and there seems no easy way around it.”
Brayshaw went on to have a cheeky crack at Richmond legend Martin, who announced his retirement but is strongly linked to a return to Gold Coast.
“Whether you’re Dustin Martin – who I checked before I came up here, and he’s still officially retired – he’s won every single award that’s available to win as a player,” Brayshaw said.
“Or whether you’re a kid like Aiden O’Dirscoll, who was a young man who had dreams of doing what Dusty did – but unfortunately he was medically retired from concussion in his first pre-season. We, the retiring class of 2024, should be incredibly proud.
“I hope that we’ve brought pride and joy to our families, our friends, our loved ones, our teammates, our clubs and also to many fans.
“We all achieved our dreams to varying degrees, which is a privilege that we should never lose sight of. Equally as important, is casting an eye to the future – and the truth, surprisingly, is that there is a life after football, which is a relief.
“Tom Hawkins played 359 games. He arrived as a kid, and leaves the game with several of his own. And although his career may seem like a lifetime, he, like the rest of us, will soon find out that there is so much more to see and to do.
“Our playing careers have ended and there are feelings of sadness, grief, uncertainty, anger and anxiety, no doubt.
“But as the playing door closes on us, so many others stand ready for us, as we transition from this rigid and structured existence into the great unknown.
“I sincerely hope that everyone in the retiring class of 2024 finds something that provides them with the passion and the purpose that I derive from playing AFL.”
Brayshaw then offered fellow retirees some “free advice” given he is already 32 weeks into his retirement.
“The first is to keep your friends and family close, and be kind to yourself through the ups and downs. It’s certainly not going to be easy all the time, but the virtues that football has instilled in us will hold us in good stead for what’s to come,” he said.
“The retiring class of 2024 gave so much to the game, and will be sorely missed, but the legacy that we have left won’t soon be forgotten. From club captains, to premiership heroes, future hall of famers, and players who gave us moments that we will look back on forever.
“On behalf of the group, I would also like to say a massive thank you to this great game, and to all of those who work tirelessly – often without recognition – to allow us to go out and do what we have done.
“And most of all, a massive thank you to our families and to our loved ones, who have sacrificed continuously to help us along our journey. It is my incredible privilege to count myself a member of this group, and a true honour to represent and toast it night.”
The speech was an instant hit among the crowd and fans watching at home.
“One of the best speeches I have heard from a good young man. Hats off Angus Brayshaw,” Australian cricket great Darren Lehmann said.
“Angus Brayshaw hasn’t played a game this season but still gets the 3 votes for this Brownlow Medal dinner,” sports commentator Quentin Hull said.