MELBOURNE remains hopeful Angus Brayshaw will feature later in its finals campaign but is prioritising the midfielder's health over his return to football.
Brayshaw will miss Friday night's semi-final against Carlton at the MCG after he was knocked out in a botched smothering attempt by Collingwood's Brayden Maynard.
Maynard collided with Brayshaw on Thursday night in an incident that led to a rough conduct charge, with the Magpies defender sent straight to the Tribunal.
If Brayshaw clears concussion protocols he would be free to return in a preliminary final if Melbourne makes it that far, but teammate Christian Petracca said a return for that game is not guaranteed.
"He's not going great, to be honest," Petracca said after visiting his teammate on Friday.
"He's obviously had a bit of concussion history. It's fortunate that was six years ago, not so frequent.
"He's got a bit of a sore neck. It's really sad, he's one of my closest mates. To see anyone with a concussion, whether it's a Collingwood player or a Melbourne player, it is really tough to see someone on the ground.
"(A return) will be based on what Gus is feeling and his symptoms.
"If we win this week, fingers crossed Gus feels right to play in the prelim. But I feel like, when I saw Gus and speaking to him, footy's just one thing. It's all about his health and you've got your brain for the rest of your life. Footy's just a part of you.
"When I speak to him, I feel that it's more than just footy. Whatever he wants to do, it's up to him."
Brayshaw, 27, has a prior history of concussion and wears a protective helmet when he plays.
Petracca and Melbourne captain Max Gawn visited their 2021 premiership teammate at home the day after his collision with Maynard.
"He's in pretty good spirits but he is sore, which I suppose anyone would be when you get concussed," Petracca said.
Petracca did not want to comment on whether Demons players had an issue with Maynard over his role in the Brayshaw collision.
Maynard also visited Brayshaw over the weekend to check in on his former junior football teammate.
"The only thing we were concerned about is our teammate, and Gus on the ground," Petracca said.
"It's difficult to see anyone on the ground with concussion."
Maynard faces the prospect of missing the rest of Collingwood's premiership push through suspension.
The Magpies secured a home preliminary final with their win over Melbourne in last Thursday's qualifying final, and will meet the winner of the Port Adelaide-Greater Western Sydney semi-final.
