ANDREW Brayshaw's ascent into top-10 calculations for next month's draft has continued after the midfielder became the first ever winner of the new Yo-Yo test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
The Yo-Yo was introduced to the combine's format for the first time this year, replacing the time-honored beep test as it seen to better reflect the running patterns of the game at the top level.
It is similar to the beep test in that players were required to run between cones that were placed 20 metres apart at timed intervals, and participants have a 10-second recovery period between the sprints where they need to jog to another cone and get back to the starting point before going again.
But prospects who did the test also spoke afterwards about the difference to the beep test, saying the Yo-Yo had a higher intensity and reached strong levels of running quicker than the beep. However, the Yo-Yo did not last nearly as long.
It lasted longest for Brayshaw, though, who reached level 22.4 of the Yo-Yo. This is viewed as approximately the equivalent of a level 14.8 or so beep test in terms of a player's maximum oxygen intake, although exact comparisons are difficult to make given the contrasts in the tests.
It continued what has been an outstanding second half of the year for Brayshaw, as the younger brother of Melbourne's Angus stakes his claim to be one of the earliest picks at next month's national draft.
He starred for the Sandringham Dragons in their TAC Cup finals series and is seen as one of the leading midfielders in the crop with his strong all-round game, including his aerobic base which he proved to recruiters on Thursday at Etihad Stadium.
His Vic Metro teammate Dylan Moore also underlined his aerobic capacity by finishing second by reaching level 22.3, while Matthew Ling, Alex Martini, Aaron Naughton and Jaidyn Stephenson all reached level 21.8.
Marking key forward Tom McCartin, the younger brother of St Kilda's Paddy, was also among the best by reaching level 21.5.
Yo-Yo test results
- Andrew Brayshaw 22.4 level
- Dylan Moore 22.3
- Matthew Ling 21.8
- Alex Martini 21.8
- Aaron Naughton 21.8
- Jaidyn Stephenson 21.8
- Callan England 21.6
- Nicholas Shipley 21.6
- Brent Daniels 21.5
- Ethan Floyd 21.5
- Tom McCartin 21.5
- Cillian McDaid 21.5
- Gryan Miers 21.5
