Melbourne midfielder Angus Brayshaw hopes the dialog across the second-most talked about smooth tissue harm in Australian sport can now be put to mattress.
Clayton Oliver’s hamstring saga – overshadowed in latest weeks by Matildas captain Sam Kerr’s battle with a calf problem – was an undesirable distraction for the Demons for nearly three months.
But the star on-baller’s spectacular return in final Saturday evening’s slim defeat to Carlton has lifted the cloud as Simon Goodwin’s males gear up for an additional premiership tilt.
“The way he came out and played is a credit to how he got through the process,” Brayshaw instructed reporters on Monday.
“It’s been him and it’s been our high performance staff, I know they’ve put a heap of work in.
“It’s nice to have him again and hopefully now the headlines about all of it disappear and we are able to give attention to the footy.”
Melbourne’s management of Oliver’s injury was under an intense spotlight throughout his time on the sidelines, after he first hurt the hamstring in round 10.
The social media rumour mill went into overdrive in June, when furious Demons officials rejected suggestions that behavioural issues were behind 26-year-old’s absence.
“I’m actually pleased with Clayton,” Brayshaw stated.
“He’s had a number of scrutiny – a number of media scrutiny – and that is the primary main harm he is needed to cope with.
“It’s something as a player that’s really hard and with the scrutiny he had on top of that, I really feel for him.”
Oliver’s return has had a flow-on impact to Brayshaw, who performed elevated midfield minutes to assist cowl his teammate’s absence.
The versatile 27-year-old insists he’s pleased to “just do what I’m told”.
“The team needs are above my own and I’m always happy to sacrifice for the sake of winning,” Brayshaw stated.
“Clayton did a really good job coming back from an extended break with a hammy that wasn’t exactly cooperating.
“For him to return straight again into the AFL and have an superior team-first, contested, powerful efficiency was unbelievable.
“He integrated really well and the team unit’s been ticking along, so whatever my role in that is, as long as I get to be involved, then I’m happy.”
Melbourne will host their annual Pink Lady Match – recognising Australians impacted by breast most cancers – after they tackle Hawthorn on the MCG on Sunday.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
