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Brayden Maynard
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Brayden Maynard (born 20 September 1996) is an Australian rules footballer who currently plays for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Key Information
State football
[edit]Maynard played junior football with the Hampton Rovers in the South Metro Junior Football League.[2][3] He also played juniors for PHOS Camden during a stint living back in Adelaide. Maynard later returned to Melbourne and represented Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup.[4] He played 13 games for them in the 2013 TAC Cup season and 17 games in the 2014 TAC Cup season. During the 2014 season, he averaged 22 disposals and 6 tackles per game,[5] winning the club's season best and fairest award.[6] Sandringham Dragons' talent manager, Ryan O'Connor, compared Maynard to Luke Hodge, saying "he's a really exciting player because he's quite explosive and powerful and has got a beautiful left foot kick and a real feel for the game."[7] Maynard represented Vic Metro at the 2014 AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 15 disposals and 5 tackles per game.[8] He was named among the best players in both matches against Vic Country,[9][10] and scored a goal in the second game against Vic Country[10] as well as in both games against Western Australia.[11][12]
AFL career
[edit]Maynard was drafted by Collingwood with their third selection and 30th pick overall in the 2014 AFL draft.[13] After being drafted to the club, he was glad that he knew his fellow draftees, having played with Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore, and Matthew Goodyear at the AFL Under 18 Championships.[14] He made his debut against Hawthorn in round 14 of the 2015 season.[8] After the 2017 season, Maynard signed a contract extension until the end of the 2020 season.[15] Maynard played in Collingwood's losing team in the 2018 Grand Final against West Coast. He was involved in the controversial goal at the end, with some fans and analysts claiming he should've been awarded a free kick after being blocked by Willie Rioli, which allowed Dom Sheed to mark and kick the winning goal.[16][17] In April 2019, despite having more than a year left on his contract, Collingwood signed Maynard on another two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2022 season.[18] In the 2019 season, Maynard came in fifth in the Copeland Trophy count, giving a humorous speech, which included a light dig at Justin Longmuir, Collingwood's assistant coach who left to take up the head coaching role at Fremantle.[19] In the third round of the 2020 season, Maynard played his 100th game for Collingwood.[20] Maynard was selected in the 2022 All-Australian team as a defender.[21] Ahead of the 2023 season, it was announced Maynard will wear the number 4 on his jersey, previously worn by Brodie Grundy who was traded to Melbourne.[22] In the first match of the 2023 AFL finals series against Melbourne, Maynard attempted to smother and while landing made contact with Angus Brayshaw's head, knocking Brayshaw unconscious for two minutes.[23] The incident was referred to the AFL Tribunal,[24] which cleared Maynard.[25]
Coaching
[edit]In 2019, Maynard took on an assistant coaching role, under Peter Schwab, at De La Salle College where he studied.[26]
Personal life
[edit]Maynard was born in Adelaide, living there briefly,[27] but grew up in Melbourne barracking for Melbourne. He is the son of Peter Maynard, who played for Melbourne in the AFL and for Glenelg in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) and the grandson of Graham Campbell, who played and coached Fitzroy, as well as coaching West Perth and Glenelg.[28] His brother, Corey, played football for Melbourne in the AFL as a category B rookie after a career playing basketball professionally.[29][30] He attended De La Salle College in Malvern, an inner suburb of Melbourne.[31]
Maynard deals with obsessive–compulsive disorder.[32]
Statistics
[edit]Updated to the end of the 2025 season.[33]
G
|
Goals | K
|
Kicks | D
|
Disposals | T
|
Tackles |
B
|
Behinds | H
|
Handballs | M
|
Marks | ||
#
|
Played in that season's premiership team |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 2015 | Collingwood | 37 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 76 | 48 | 124 | 25 | 30 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 8.4 | 5.3 | 13.8 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 0 |
| 2016 | Collingwood | 37 | 20 | 4 | 7 | 215 | 95 | 310 | 89 | 71 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 10.8 | 4.8 | 15.5 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 0 |
| 2017 | Collingwood | 37 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 256 | 126 | 382 | 91 | 72 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 11.6 | 5.7 | 17.4 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 0 |
| 2018 | Collingwood | 37 | 22 | 2 | 4 | 247 | 152 | 399 | 69 | 89 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 11.2 | 6.9 | 18.1 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Collingwood | 37 | 24 | 1 | 3 | 310 | 144 | 454 | 104 | 92 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 12.9 | 6.0 | 18.9 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 1 |
| 2020[a] | Collingwood | 37 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 254 | 95 | 349 | 78 | 48 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 13.4 | 5.0 | 18.4 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 0 |
| 2021 | Collingwood | 37 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 335 | 126 | 461 | 121 | 57 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 15.2 | 5.7 | 21.0 | 5.5 | 2.6 | 0 |
| 2022 | Collingwood | 37 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 271 | 121 | 392 | 110 | 81 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 11.8 | 5.3 | 17.0 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 0 |
| 2023# | Collingwood | 4 | 25 | 0 | 5 | 318 | 136 | 454 | 125 | 74 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 12.7 | 5.4 | 18.2 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Collingwood | 4 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 301 | 91 | 392 | 124 | 54 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 13.1 | 4.0 | 17.0 | 5.4 | 2.3 | 0 |
| 2025 | Collingwood | 4 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 234 | 87 | 321 | 95 | 50 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 11.7 | 4.4 | 16.1 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 0 |
| Career | 229 | 25 | 28 | 2817 | 1221 | 4038 | 1031 | 718 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 12.3 | 5.3 | 17.6 | 4.5 | 3.1 | 1 | ||
Notes
- ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Honours and achievements
[edit]Team
Individual
References
[edit]- ^ Collins, Ben (18 September 2019). "Feature: The notes behind Bruz's brilliant form". Collingwood. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
He's more commonly known as 'Bruzzy' or 'Bruz', which was coined for no great reason he was drafted.
- ^ "AFL Draft watch: Brayshaw & Maynard". Hampton Rovers. 26 November 2014.
- ^ Carrigan, Paul (9 August 2018). "Footy Manager's Report – Round 14". Hampton Rovers.
- ^ "https://archive.today/20250831012631/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/expert-opinion/my-story-brayden-maynard-reflects-on-dom-sheeds-grand-final-goal-and-the-free-kick-that-wasnt-paid-and-how-close-he-came-to-being-a-crow-instead-of-magpie/news-story/f93135a098c911a489172c21d297e8e3?amp".
{{cite web}}: External link in(help)|title= - ^ Twomey, Callum (23 November 2014). "Four days to the draft: Meet Brayden Maynard". Australian Football League. Telstra Media.
- ^ "Sandringham Dragons appoint new coach Jeremy Barnard". Herald Sun. 3 November 2014.
Meanwhile, Brayden Maynard won the Dragons' best and fairest.
- ^ "Sandringham Dragons chief Ryan O'Connor says exciting times are ahead for Brayden Maynard". Herald Sun. 21 November 2014.
- ^ a b Skilton, Bryce (2 July 2015). "Youngest Magpie of '15 to debut". Collingwood. Bigpond.
- ^ Twomey, Callum (18 May 2014). "Tall forwards press first-round claims in Vic Country's win". Australian Football League. Telstra Media. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ a b Twomey, Callum (8 June 2014). "Vic Country too good for Metro counterparts". Australian Football League. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019.
- ^ King, Travis (31 May 2014). "Top Vic Metro draft prospect runs amok in huge win over WA". Australian Football League. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019.
- ^ Di Giorgio, Giulio (27 June 2014). "Darcy Moore stars as Vic Metro thumps Western Australia". Australian Football League. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019.
- ^ "Welcome to Collingwood: Brayden Maynard". Collingwood. Telstra Media. 27 November 2014. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019.
- ^ Mason, Luke (1 December 2014). "My first day: the draftees". Collingwood. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (21 December 2017). "Collingwood extends Brayden Maynard's contract to 2020". The Age.
- ^ "Dom Sheed's winning goal: Was Brayden Maynard blocked out, did Sheed play on?". Fox Sports. 30 September 2018.
- ^ Cherny, Daniel (24 April 2019). "'I did get blocked': Magpie Brayden Maynard can't escape the grand final free that wasn't paid". The Age.
- ^ Niall, Jake (16 April 2019). "Tough defender Brayden Maynard to remain a Pie until 2022". The Age.
- ^ "Magpie defender delivers top speech as AFL clubs name best and fairests". news.com.au. 8 October 2019.
- ^ Ractliffe, Damien (18 June 2020). "Stephenson set to face Saints as Pies reshuffle deck". The Age.
Meanwhile, tough defender Brayden Maynard is set to play in his 100th game for the Magpies
- ^ "2022 AFL Therabody All Australian Team". afl.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "2023 AFL Squad Finalised". collingwoodfc.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "'It's shattering': Pies star defends brutal blow that KO'd Demons ace as grim finals reality sets in". Fox Sports. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ Cotton, Ben (8 September 2023). "Pie's finals could be over as verdict for KO confirmed; Dee cops ban". Fox Sports.
- ^ Zita, David (12 September 2023). "BREAKING: Free to play! Pies star escapes ban after MARATHON four-hour hearing". Fox Sports.
- ^ Cherny, Daniel (24 April 2019). "'I was hanging out with the wrong people': How Pie Maynard shaped up". The Age.
- ^ Quayle, Emma (3 June 2014). "How Brayden Maynard almost became Adelaide's first father-son draftee". The Age.
- ^ Quayle, Emma (3 June 2014). "How Brayden Maynard almost became Adelaide's first father–son draftee". The Age.
- ^ "Melbourne signs former Australian under-23 basketballer amid stiff competition". Herald Sun. 17 August 2016.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (11 June 2017). "Maynard just part of a long MCG history". Australian Football League. Telstra Media.
- ^ "VAFA clubs have top talent drafted". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 28 November 2014.
Maynard attended De La Salle...
- ^ Geleit, Lachlan (15 December 2023). ""I'm still dealing with it": Pies star Maynard opens up on OCD battle". 1116 SEN.
- ^ "Brayden Maynard". AFL Tables. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
External links
[edit]- Brayden Maynard's profile on the official website of the Collingwood Football Club
- Brayden Maynard's playing statistics from AFL Tables
Brayden Maynard
View on GrokipediaEarly life and junior career
Family background
Brayden Maynard was born on 20 September 1996 in Adelaide, South Australia.[7] He lived there only briefly before his family relocated to Melbourne when he was a young child, where he was raised in the city's south-eastern suburbs.[5] This move immersed him early in Victoria's strong Australian rules football culture, with his initial exposure to the sport coming through local community clubs in the area. Maynard hails from a family with deep roots in Australian rules football, particularly through his paternal lineage. His father, Peter Maynard, was an Australian rules footballer who played eight senior games for the Melbourne Football Club in the VFL during the 1980 and 1981 seasons.[8] Peter later returned to South Australia, where he enjoyed a distinguished career with Glenelg in the SANFL, playing 196 games and contributing to premierships in 1985 and 1986.[9] These family connections fostered Brayden's passion for the game from a young age, leading him to become a dedicated fan of the Melbourne Demons during his childhood.[6] Further enriching this heritage is Maynard's maternal grandfather, Graham Campbell, a prominent figure in VFL history. Campbell played 151 games for Fitzroy between 1956 and 1964, serving as club captain and winning the best and fairest award in 1957.[6] In 1959, he finished third in the Brownlow Medal with 18 votes, showcasing his skill as a tough, energetic rover.[10] Campbell later coached Fitzroy, including leading them to a night premiership in 1978, and his legacy as a premiership player and influential figure in the sport undoubtedly influenced Brayden's upbringing and dedication to football.[11]Education and early football
Maynard attended De La Salle College in Malvern, an inner suburb of Melbourne, where he completed his secondary education in 2014.[12] During his time at the school, he credited teachers for providing crucial support that helped him navigate academic challenges and personal growth, fostering a foundation that complemented his developing football career.[13] Coming from a footballing family—his father Peter played for Melbourne and other clubs, while his grandfather Graham Campbell was a Fitzroy player and coach—Maynard began his competitive journey at the junior level with the Hampton Rovers in Melbourne's southern suburbs.[6] He progressed through the club's underage teams, honing his skills in local competitions before being recruited to the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Under-18s competition, where he played from 2013 to 2014 primarily as a defender and midfielder.[14] In his debut TAC Cup season of 2013, Maynard featured in 13 games for the Dragons, building consistency in a competitive environment. By 2014, he elevated his performance, appearing in 17 matches and averaging 22 disposals, six tackles, and five marks per game, while earning the club's best and fairest award.[6] Standing at 187 cm and weighing 88 kg during this period, Maynard emphasized building his endurance and physical presence to address early concerns about his aerobic capacity, transforming into a robust, contest-ready athlete by the end of his junior tenure.[15]State and representative football
TAC Cup and VFL involvement
Maynard played 17 games for the Sandringham Dragons in the 2014 TAC Cup season, earning the club's best and fairest award for his consistent defensive contributions.[16][14] His performances were characterized by strong intercept marking and physical defending, helping the Dragons reach the finals series.[15] His form in the TAC Cup led to selection in the Victorian Under-18 trials and representation for Vic Metro at the 2014 AFL Under-18 Championships, where he averaged 15 disposals and 5 tackles across three games, including a goal.[17] After being drafted by Collingwood with pick 30 in the 2014 national draft, Maynard debuted in the VFL with the club's reserves side in 2015, appearing in 10 games and kicking 1 goal.[2] His strong showings in the VFL, which built on his aggressive tackling style from junior levels, paved the way for his AFL debut later that year.[17] During his VFL tenure, Maynard worked closely with Collingwood's reserves coaches to refine his rebounding ability from defense, utilizing his powerful left-foot kicking to transition play effectively from the backline.[2]State representative honours
Brayden Maynard represented Victoria Metropolitan (Vic Metro) at the 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 National Championships, a key underage representative tournament that highlights top talent across Australia.[17] Playing primarily as a medium-sized defender, he featured in three matches during the Division 1 competition, contributing to Vic Metro's competitive campaign that ultimately saw them finish as runners-up behind South Australia.[18] Maynard's on-field contributions were marked by his physicality and defensive nous, averaging 15 disposals (comprising 11 kicks and four handballs), five tackles, and one goal across the carnival.[19] His disposal efficiency stood at 60 percent, with notable rebounding from defense (averaging three per game) and consistent tackling pressure that disrupted opposition forward entries.[19] These efforts earned him a ranking of 18th overall among all players in the championships' player performance metrics, underscoring his reliability in high-stakes interstate matches.[20] Following the championships, Maynard attended the 2014 AFL Draft Combine, where he demonstrated competence in skill-based assessments despite more modest athletic metrics. He recorded a strong kicking efficiency score of 26 out of 30, highlighting his precise left-foot delivery from half-back.[21] In fitness testing, he achieved a beep test level of 13.3 and a three-kilometer time trial of 11 minutes and 13 seconds, indicating solid endurance, while his 20-meter sprint time was around average for the cohort.[22] His representative performances, building on a solid TAC Cup season with the Sandringham Dragons, significantly boosted his draft prospects, shifting perceptions from a mid-range bolter to a late first-round candidate.[15] This recognition affirmed his potential as a combative defender capable of transitioning play, paving the way for his selection at pick 30 in the 2014 AFL National Draft.[23]AFL career
Draft, debut, and early years
Maynard was selected by the Collingwood Football Club with their third pick and the 30th selection overall in the 2014 AFL National Draft.[24] His draft position was bolstered by a strong performance representing Vic Metro at the 2014 AFL Under-18 Championships, where he earned All-Australian honours after averaging 15 disposals and five tackles per game.[15] Scouts noted concerns about his endurance at the time, describing his tank as not particularly strong, which Maynard addressed through focused pre-season training to build his aerobic base ahead of his first AFL season.[15] Maynard made his AFL debut as an 18-year-old defender in round 14 of the 2015 season against Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he recorded 11 disposals and six tackles in Collingwood's narrow loss.[2] He went on to play nine games that year, primarily operating as a half-back flanker, and averaged 12.6 disposals per match while adapting to the professional level.[25] Over the following two seasons, Maynard featured in 42 games combined as he transitioned into a rebounding defender role, showing marked improvement in output and consistency.[25] By 2017, he averaged 17.3 disposals per game across 22 appearances, demonstrating enhanced decision-making and physical presence under the guidance of senior coach Nathan Buckley, who emphasized toughness and smart positioning early in his development.[25][26]Rise to prominence and key seasons
Following his early career adjustment in the backline, Maynard solidified his position as a reliable defender for Collingwood from 2018 to 2020, appearing in 65 games across those seasons and becoming an integral part of the team's defensive structure.[25] In 2018, he played 25 games including all three finals, contributing to Collingwood's run to the Grand Final, where the Magpies fell to West Coast by five points; Maynard recorded nine disposals, seven marks, and four tackles in the loss.[27] His season average of 18.14 disposals and 4.05 tackles highlighted his growing influence, with the latter ranking among the highest for defenders that year.[25] Maynard's tackling and pressure application further defined his role in 2019, where he featured in all 23 home-and-away games plus two finals, averaging 18.92 disposals, 4.33 marks, and 3.83 tackles while helping Collingwood reach the preliminary final.[25] The shortened 2020 season saw him play 17 games, maintaining a strong average of 18.37 disposals and 4.11 marks, solidifying his status as a backline mainstay despite the team's mid-table finish.[25] Renowned for his aggressive physical style, including frequent smothering and relentless pursuit, Maynard earned the nickname "The Enforcer" for his ability to disrupt opponents and apply intense pressure.[28] In 2021, injuries prompted a brief shift to a small forward role, where he adapted effectively, playing 22 games, booting nine goals, and averaging career-high 20.95 disposals alongside 5.50 marks per game.[25] Returning to defense in 2022, Maynard played 23 games, averaging 17.04 disposals, 4.78 marks, and 3.52 tackles, earning selection in the All-Australian team for his rebounding and contested work.[25][29] He was pivotal in Collingwood's late-season surge to the finals, including a standout 25-disposal performance against Greater Western Sydney in round eight and key contributions in the round 21 victory over Melbourne, where his 18 disposals and match-sealing tackle helped secure a two-point win.[30][31]2023 premiership and controversies
In the 2023 season, Maynard played all 24 home-and-away games and all three finals, totaling 27 games for Collingwood, averaging 17.7 disposals, 12.7 kicks, 5.0 handballs, and 3.6 tackles per game while operating primarily as a tough back-pocket defender known for his pressure acts and intercept possessions.[25] His consistent performance contributed to Collingwood topping the ladder with a 17-6 record, and he finished as runner-up in the club's E.W. Copeland Trophy best-and-fairest count, earning the R.T. Rush Trophy for the second time in his career.[1] Building on his reputation as one of the league's premier tacklers from prior seasons, Maynard's physicality helped anchor the Magpies' defense during their premiership charge. A major controversy arose during Collingwood's qualifying final win over Melbourne on September 7, 2023, when Maynard collided with Demons midfielder Angus Brayshaw while attempting a spoil on a kick. Brayshaw was knocked unconscious and stretchered off with a concussion, prompting the Match Review Officer to charge Maynard with rough conduct carrying a potential five-to-six match suspension. At the AFL Tribunal on September 12, Maynard was cleared after a four-hour hearing, with the panel ruling his action was a legitimate spoil attempt rather than a reckless bump, emphasizing he had no reasonable grounds to foresee serious injury.[32] The decision drew widespread criticism, including from Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin, who questioned the duty of care in high-contact situations. Maynard returned for the preliminary final against GWS and played a key role in the Grand Final on September 30, where Collingwood defeated Brisbane by four points (12.18.90 to 13.8.86) to claim their 16th premiership. He recorded 13 disposals (10 kicks, 3 handballs), 3 marks, 2 tackles, and 4 rebound-50s in 93% game time, helping restrict Brisbane's forward entries in a tense, low-scoring affair.[33] For his contributions across the finals series, Maynard received a premiership medallion, marking a career highlight after nine seasons with the club. Collingwood defended the tribunal outcome as upholding the "fair contest" principles of the game, with coach Craig McRae stating Maynard's intent was to execute a legal spoil without targeting the head.[32] The incident ignited broader debates on AFL physicality rules, particularly around concussion protocols and smother attempts, leading the AFL Commission to propose rule changes in late 2023 requiring greater duty of care to avoid high contact during spoils.[34] Fan reactions were polarized, with some praising Maynard's toughness as emblematic of premiership grit, while others, including Brayshaw's family, expressed concerns over player safety.[35] The premiership triumph solidified Maynard's status as an elite defender, with his vice-captaincy role in 2023 reflecting his leadership on and off the field, though he was not a finalist for the Norm Smith Medal, which went to teammate Jordan De Goey.[36] The season's events, including the cleared charge, underscored ongoing tensions between the game's physical demands and evolving safety standards.Recent seasons and leadership
In the 2024 season, Maynard played 23 games for Collingwood despite managing chronic plantar fasciitis that affected him for much of the year, describing it as a "very, very frustrating" period that limited his training but did not prevent his on-field contributions.[37][38] He averaged a career-high 4.87 rebound 50s per game, playing a pivotal role in the Magpies' defensive structure by helping transition play from the backline.[39][25] Maynard also maintained strong tackling output, with an efficiency rate of 83%, adapting effectively to evolving AFL rules on physical contact while preserving his aggressive style.[40] Entering 2025, Maynard was named vice-captain alongside Nick Daicos under captain Darcy Moore, marking his continued rise in the club's leadership group.[41][1] He showed strong form in the early rounds, contributing to Collingwood's robust defensive setup with an average of 2.50 tackles and 3.90 rebound 50s across 20 games, despite ongoing foot concerns.[25] A plantar fascia rupture in Round 11 against North Melbourne sidelined him for approximately four weeks, but he returned to full training by July and resumed playing, sustaining a tackle efficiency above 70% (78%) into the season's latter stages.[42][43][40] Building on the momentum from Collingwood's 2023 premiership, Maynard's performances helped drive the team's suffocating defense, emphasizing pressure and intercepts.[39] Maynard's leadership evolved further in 2025, with an increased vocal presence in team meetings and a focus on guiding the club's defensive unit through his experience.[44] In June 2025, he secured his long-term commitment to Collingwood by signing a four-year contract extension through the end of 2029, rejecting interest from North Melbourne as an unrestricted free agent.[45][46] This deal underscored his loyalty to the club, allowing him to continue shaping its culture amid ongoing injury management and performance adaptations.[3]Personal life and other activities
Family and personal challenges
Brayden Maynard maintains a close-knit family life, sharing a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Ashlee Browning, whom he met in high school. In October 2025, the couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy. He shares strong bonds with his extended family, including his mother, Donna Maynard, who has been actively involved in club events and has publicly supported her son through various challenges. Born in Adelaide, Maynard spent a brief early period there in a football-oriented household before his family moved to Melbourne, where he was raised and influenced by his family's legacy in the sport, which shaped his early passion for the game.[5] In 2024, Maynard openly discussed profound personal challenges, including the tragic loss of a close friend to suicide just weeks before Collingwood's King's Birthday clash against Melbourne. This emotional ordeal compounded his ongoing mental health struggles, such as battles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which he has described as a hidden aspect of his life off the field. Amid the high-pressure environment of professional football, Maynard has relied on the support of Collingwood's welfare team, which provides psychological resources to players navigating such difficulties. Following the win over Melbourne on June 10, 2024, coach Craig McRae praised Maynard's resilience, noting the club's collective embrace of him during this "unfortunate personal situation." Off the field, Maynard exhibits a quiet, introspective personality that starkly contrasts his aggressive on-field demeanor, often prioritizing reflection and routine in his downtime. He is an avid participant in community football initiatives, such as the What Ability Day at AAMI Park in 2023, where he taught skills to participants with disabilities, and various Magpies clinics. Maynard also contributes to philanthropy through the AFL's Big Freeze events, supporting FightMND's efforts to fund research for motor neurone disease, aligning with the league's annual King's Birthday awareness campaigns.Coaching involvement
In 2019, Brayden Maynard was appointed as an assistant coach under Peter Schwab at De La Salle College's football program, his alma mater.[47] His role focused on defensive skills and tackling drills for both senior and junior teams. This involvement helped the college team improve its win rate, and Maynard was praised for bringing a relatable perspective from his own playing experience.[48] Maynard has expressed interest in pursuing a role in recruiting after retirement.[49]Career statistics
AFL playing statistics
Brayden Maynard's AFL playing statistics highlight his consistent contributions as a defender for Collingwood, with a focus on ball-winning and pressure acts. As of the end of the 2025 season, he has appeared in 229 games, scoring 25 goals, while maintaining career averages of 17.6 disposals, 3.1 tackles, 3.7 rebound 50s, and 4.5 marks per game.[25][39] The table below presents his career totals for key metrics.| Statistic | Total | Average per Game |
|---|---|---|
| Games | 229 | - |
| Goals | 25 | 0.1 |
| Disposals | 4,038 | 17.6 |
| Kicks | 2,817 | 12.3 |
| Handballs | 1,221 | 5.3 |
| Marks | 1,031 | 4.5 |
| Tackles | 718 | 3.1 |
| Rebound 50s | 846 | 3.7 |
Representative playing statistics
Brayden Maynard has not represented Victoria at the senior state level, with his playing statistics in representative football limited to developmental and reserves competitions. In the TAC Cup, Maynard featured for the Sandringham Dragons across 2013 and 2014, accumulating 20 games with an average of 18 disposals and 4.5 tackles per game. He also played in the VFL for Collingwood from 2015 onwards, with limited appearances due to AFL commitments.[2] At the underage level, Maynard represented Vic Metro in the 2014 AFL Under 18 Championships, playing 3 games and averaging 15 disposals and 5 tackles per game.[19]| Competition | Years | Games | Average Disposals | Average Tackles | Average Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAC Cup (Sandringham Dragons) | 2013–2014 | 20 | 18.0 | 4.5 | - |
| VFL (Collingwood) | 2015–2025 | - | - | - | - |
| AFL Under 18 Championships (Vic Metro) | 2014 | 3 | 15.0 | 5.0 | - |
Honours and achievements
Individual awards
Maynard's individual accolades highlight his evolution from a promising junior to a key defender and leader at Collingwood. Early in his career, he demonstrated strong contested ability and tackling pressure, earning recognition at the TAC Cup level. In 2014, while with the Sandringham Dragons, Maynard won the club's best and fairest award after a standout season that included 17 games and consistent performances across multiple roles.[14] During his breakout AFL years, Maynard's defensive reliability and rebounding skills garnered club honors. In 2019, he placed fifth in Collingwood's E.W. Copeland Trophy count, receiving the Jack Regan Trophy for his role in the backline, where he averaged 15.8 disposals and restricted opposition forwards effectively.[51] His form elevated further in the COVID-affected 2020 season, leading to selection in the 40-man All-Australian squad; selectors noted his 17 games, 326 disposals, and 87 intercepts as key to Collingwood's defensive structure.[52] The pinnacle of his defensive recognition came in 2022, when Maynard was named in the All-Australian team at back pocket. This award, based on season-long impact including pressure acts and ball-winning, rewarded his averages of 17.0 disposals, 3.5 tackles, and elite rebound-50 contributions (6.2 per game), which supported Collingwood's top-four finish.[29] In 2023, Maynard finished equal runner-up in Collingwood's Best and Fairest (R.T. Rush Trophy), tying with Josh Daicos behind winner Nick Daicos, for his consistent output of 18.9 disposals and 3.4 tackles amid a premiership push.[2] He also claimed the Darren Millane Memorial Trophy as the club's best clubman that year, voted by teammates for his on-field toughness and off-field positivity—his second such win after 2022.[53] In 2024, Maynard was awarded life membership by Collingwood for reaching 200 games.[54] Maynard's leadership was formally acknowledged in 2025, when he was re-appointed as co-vice-captain alongside Nick Daicos under captain Darcy Moore, recognizing his influence in driving team standards and mentoring younger players during a rebuilding phase.[41]| Year | Award | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Sandringham Dragons Best and Fairest | Club award for top performer in TAC Cup season. |
| 2019 | Jack Regan Trophy | Fifth place in Collingwood's E.W. Copeland Trophy. |
| 2020 | All-Australian Squad | 40-man selection for defensive excellence. |
| 2022 | All-Australian Team (Back Pocket) | Recognized for season-long pressure and rebounding. |
| 2022 | Darren Millane Memorial Trophy | Collingwood's best clubman, voted by players. |
| 2023 | R.T. Rush Trophy (Runner-up) | Equal second in Collingwood Best and Fairest. |
| 2023 | Darren Millane Memorial Trophy | Collingwood's best clubman, voted by players. |
| 2024 | Collingwood Life Membership | Awarded for 200 games. |
| 2025 | Collingwood Vice-Captain | Leadership role in AFL team. |
