After a nearly decade-long career spanning 167 games, a third-place finish in the 2018 Brownlow Medal, as well as a premiership win in 2021, Brayshaw was forced into early retirement in February 2024 due to the ongoing effects of concussion.

[4] He was recognised as an elite talent at a young age when he received a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport through the AIS-AFL Academy as part of their level one squad in the 2012 intake.

[6] He played five matches as a bottom-aged player in the TAC Cup for the Sandringham Dragons in 2013[7] and after being ineligible for the 2013 AFL draft by missing the age cut-off date by nine days,[8] Brayshaw spent 2014 competing in junior competitions and studying a double degree in commerce and engineering at Monash University.

[11] At the start of the tour, Brayshaw was awarded the MCC Chairman's Medal as the best academy player after competing in a match against Collingwood's Victorian Football League (VFL) side at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

[31] His season was acclaimed within the AFL industry, particularly his mid-season form, where his tenacity and desperation around the ball was highlighted with comparisons to Joel Selwood, in addition to former Brisbane Lions captain, Jonathan Brown, commending his toughness.

[32] He was noted as an equal favourite for the Rising Star, alongside Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps, by Herald Sun chief football writer, Mark Robinson, after his performance against Geelong in Round 12.

[45] The same weekend in the VFL match against Essendon, he sustained a concussion after a football kicked by teammate, Alex Neal-Bullen, hit him in the back of the head.

[49] He returned to the senior side in the thirty-six point loss against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium in Round 17[50] in which he recorded twenty-three disposals and seven clearances.

[58] Brayshaw missed three weeks of football and in his return match in the VFL against the Northern Blues, he was concussed again when he was bumped by Carlton listed player, Jed Lamb.

[64] He returned to the AFL for the twenty-four point win against St Kilda in Round 21 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground; in the first quarter, he received a heavy bump from Koby Stevens; however, he was uninjured from the collision.

[Dunstall] thought it was a fantastic fight back from when we had our heart in our mouths"[66] and he was named in Melbourne's best players by AFL Media,[67] the Herald Sun[68] and The Age.

[73] Brayshaw was substituted off immediately and was unable to play in the Demons' semi-final the following week;[74] while Maynard was referred to the AFL Tribunal and ultimately cleared, causing controversy.

[75][76] [77][78] [79] It was Brayshaw's last game: after training with the club through the subsequent preseason, he retired two weeks prior to the start of the 2024 season due to his ongoing concussion issues.