AFL whispers: Medically retired Melbourne gun’s insurance claim denied

The investigation into Angus Brayshaw's concussion payout has concluded after more than two years.

Reid the Blue?

A premiership winning coach has addressed rumours once again linking him to Carlton.

Former Sydney coach John Longmire discusses how he tried to campaign mental health funding to be outside the soft cap... in 2012.

And is a Tiger gettable?

All that and more from media buzz...

Concussed Demon's insurance claim denied

Former Melbourne player Angus Brayshaw has had his concussion insurance claim has been rejected.

The Demon, according to the Herald Sun, has failed in his attempt to win a seven-figure payout after he was medically retired at the end of 2023.

Brayshaw is the third retiree to miss out on a payout, which includes Nathan Murphy and Paul Seedsman.

Harley the Blue?

Should Carlton be bold and go for Harley Reid?

Former St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt thinks so.

Riewoldt proposed that the Blues, in a three-club trade, land Reid whilst sending key defender Jacob Weitering to North Melbourne.

As for West Coast, they receive a stack of picks.

"They need to make the boldest play that we have seen for a player in Harley Reid." 👀

Weitering to North? Cripps and picks to West Coast? Harley to Carlton..? Rooey's been busy 👇 pic.twitter.com/08i6twkD03

— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 6, 2026

Hill is ready

Collingwood forward Bobby Hill wants to return to the AFL next week.

Hill has impressed since the turn of the year after spending time away from the club.

But reports have suggested that the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist wants to play against Sydney next week, pending he gets through the upcoming VFL game.

Hill has built up his loads in the reserves, and is tipped to play an entire game this weekend.

Famed Bombers draft picks on the move

Could Nik Cox, Elijah Tsatas and Archie Perkins find new homes next year?

All three haven't reached the heights they were tipped to, with Tsatas and Perkins struggling to cement their spot in the side.

Cox has shown glimpse, but has battled injury over the past two seasons. However, he is pushing towards senior football.

A report by The Age suggested that the Essendon trio could be in different colours next year.

All three are out of contract at the end of the year.

Longmire lobbied for mental health.... in 2012

Sydney premiership coach John Longmire revealed that he worded up the AFL to leave mental health funding outside the soft cap.... in 2012.

In the wake of the Elijah Hollands incident, the league said it would improve industry-wide healthcare governance standards, of which one is to review the club football department soft cap.

Longmire, who also campaigned in 2015 for psychologists to be taken outside the soft cap, spoke about his position.

“It was one of a number of things (I presented). It's a great opportunity for the premiership coach to sit in front of the Commission, and talk about some of the things that they see in the game at that particular point in time," he said on AFL360.

“It was one of many things I spoke about; it wasn't the only thing. But, it gave me the opportunity just to mention at the time that football clubs are just examples of what's happening in the community.

“There was growing mental health in the community, as there was at football clubs at that time. Not only growing issues, but it was coming to the surface — which was a great thing — now people are willing to talk about it.”

“Over the journey, there was a number of opportunities to speak to either the AFL or AFL Players' Association to put psychologists' costs outside the (soft) cap. To me, it just didn't make sense that we were capping player care in this particular instance.

“That discussion went on for quite a while, and then Covid hit. As we know, decisions had to be made about where you spend your money. It looks like the AFL are moving in the right direction now, which is a good thing.”

Adam Simpson says the AFL "didn't listen to the things we presented".