Footy fans mock Melbourne’s ‘cringeworthy’ tribute to Angus Brayshaw after Demons star’s shock retirement from AFL

Melbourne paid tribute to former teammate Angus Brayshaw on Thursday night, but some fans weren’t too impressed with the gesture made by the club.

Brayshaw, 28, informed the footy club last month that he would be retiring from the sport, effective immediately, due to a concussion he suffered in last year’s AFL finals. 

Brayshaw was concussed after Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard attempted to smother the Demons midfielder’s kick in the first quarter of the qualifying final.

Maynard escaped suspension for the controversial bump, which divided the football world and prompted the AFL to tinker with rules on smothers.

‘I am devastated that I can no longer play the game that I love, but I respect the verdict of the medical professionals, and the importance of putting my health before my career,’ Brayshaw said.

‘Concussion is a massive issue facing our game.’

And ahead of their first game without the dominant midfielder, Max Gawn and his team remembered Brayshaw before they made their way out onto the SCG turf.

His iconic helmet was hung on what appeared to be a nail or lightswitch, and the players slapped it as they left the sheds.

But some fans found the tribute slightly peculiar.

‘They showing how he got concussed?’ asked one fan.

Another said: ‘This is so cringe lol’.

A third added: ‘No wonder he had to retire if they are used to hitting the helmet like that.’

The midfielder retired from footy last month due to concussion problems

‘Hanging the helmet off the light switch,’ another fan noted. ‘Surely you think of a better way to tribute ya [sic] mate’.

‘Maxy trying to give him delayed concussion,’ said a fifth fan.

Melbourne went on to lose their opening game of the season 12.14(86) – 9.10(64) to the Swans.