AFL Origin: Garry Lyon says Andrew Brayshaw is no lock for Victoria selection and doubles down on Harley Reid

Garry Lyon says a star-studded Victorian side likely has no room for Fremantle champion Andrew Brayshaw and has effectively ruled out selecting rising West Coast superstar Harley Reid, saying it would be “fantastic” for Eagles fans to be outraged by the selection call. As the cocky Vics prepare to head west for the AFL Origin blockbuster, their chairman of selectors said he was thrilled to see the fervour among Sandgropers wanting to see the pair in State of Origin’s return at Optus Stadium on February 14, but their depth of talent may leave them sidelined for the clash with Western Australia. Victoria’s star-studded on-ball brigade will include Brayshaw’s Fremantle teammate Caleb Serong, captain Marcus Bontempelli, reigning Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell and Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos, as well as Zach Merrett, Noah Anderson, Zak Butters, Hugh McCluggage and Ed Richards. The remaining players to take their place in the game are slated to be confirmed in the coming days, but Lyon said it was highly unlikely West Coast sensation Reid would be among them. Told Reid’s omission would upset Eagles fans who wanted the youngster to play State of Origin, albeit for Victoria, Lyon said: “You throw one of them out. “Are you going to throw Serong out, Merett out, Rowell out, Daicos, Anderson, Bontempelli, (Max) Holmes? She’s pretty stacked in there,” he said. “But I love the parochialism. Don’t get me wrong. I love the fact there are people who are outraged about it (Harley not being picked). That’s fantastic. “I think it’s fair to say that the best of Harley will be in the years to come and I can see him playing many games for Victoria, if we can make this work. “But right now, he is not in our group.” Brayshaw, who finished fifth in last year’s Brownlow Medal count, is not currently in Lyon’s 21-man squad, but he says a line has not quite yet been ruled through his name as the Victorians keep a close eye on the fitness of several players. “We have got a couple of spots open because we have got a few sore boys,” Lyon said. “We aren’t going to play boys who aren’t 100 per cent — they have to be ready to go. We have left some flexibility there.” Asked about Brayshaw, Lyon said: “You throw one out for me – that’s the problem.” “It’s a pretty competitive midfield,” the Melbourne great and former Big V captain said. “We haven’t finalised it. We haven’t put a line through him. (Brayshaw) will play State footy for Victoria at some stage, but she’s pretty stacked at the minute. His name has been very much in discussions – don’t worry about that. “There’s probably 20 blokes still in the mix for spots, and Andrew is one of them.” Last year, Brayshaw — the grandson of WA cricket legend Ian “Sticks” Brayshaw who would be a near-lock to play for the Black Swans if eligible — told The West Australian he was hugely eager to feature in the game. “It might not happen for another couple of years so we might not get the opportunity again. To play alongside the Victorians we play against would be special,” Brayshaw said. “Bont would be amazing to play with. Nick Daicos would be awesome to play with. Getting to play with Max Gawn and Zak Butters — there are so many special guys. It will be so hard to pick a team. “WA will be stacked too. It will be an awesome game. I think Optus will be packed out.” Lyon reiterated his belief the Vics were going to down WA in front of a sell-out crowd in Perth. “I am really excited,” he said. “We respect our opposition, but they are going to have to be pretty good to beat us. “It looks like we have a pretty good squad. The West Australian public is in for a treat.” WA chairman of selectors Glen Jakovich had a simple response to his Victorian counterpart’s confidence. “There is an old footy saying: bring your mouthguard,” Jakovich said. “It’s going to be on.” Fremantle’s two-time leading goal-kicker Josh Treacy is also currently outside the Victorian squad, while Geelong star Bailey Smith and Collingwood legend Scott Pendlebury are two big drawcards to not yet have their places confirmed. Dockers Jordan Clark, Shai Bolton and Luke Jackson have all been named in WA’s side, alongside West Coast’s Liam Baker and Brandon Starcevich, who is currently battling to overcome a knee injury. Former Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen, who defected to two-time reigning premiers Brisbane over the off-season, would present an intriguing case for selection but may not feature in the game as he works back to full fitness following knee surgery last year. Emerging West Coast defender Reuben Ginbey will figure as a strong candidate for one of the final places in the Sandgropers’ side but will not be joined by Brady Hough, who has been sidelined for about a month by an ankle injury at pre-season training this week. Fremantle recruit Judd McVee and veteran wingman Jaeger O’Meara shape as two of the Dockers’ leading candidates currently outside the squad to pull on the black and gold guernsey. Get a FREE WA AAMI AFL Origin Guernsey worth RRP $130 when you sign up for a 12-month subscription to thewest.com.au Subscribe now from just $6 per week. T&Cs apply, limited time only. https://www.thewest.com.au/footypack