ANGUS Brayshaw says that he developed a great relationship with skipper Nathan Jones this season.

Speaking to Dee TV, Brayshaw said that he recognised from the start that Jones was someone he could learn from.

“Once I got to the club and settled down, he [Jones] was definitely one who I actively sought out but we were mates too,” he said.

“He’s been great. He’s been really smart and [has] looked after me and has given me what I’ve been asking [for] in terms of what he does – he’s so good.

“He’s been really helpful and I’ve just soaked it up as much as I can.”

Brayshaw said that it was a no-brainer to align himself with someone of Jones’ calibre so early on in his career.

“He [Jones] played his 200^th game in Round22 so he’s been doing it for a long time and anyone who can play 200 games is obviously doing something right,” he said.

“I’ve just tried to model what I do off what he’s been doing for that long so hopefully it holds me in good stead, which I’m sure it will.”

Brayshaw said that while Jones may appear intimidating on the outside, he has been a great mentor to him this year.

“I remember the first day he picked me up [to take me to training], he rides up in his black Triton truck with his singlet on and all of his tatts out and I think he tried to scare me a bit but ever since then, he’s been real nice,” he said.

“That’s where the Crème Egg (Brayshaw’s nickname for Jones) comes from; he’s got that hard exterior where he looks all tough but he’s a good fella on the inside.”

Looking to the future, Brayshaw said it was up to Melbourne’s young talent to support leaders like Jones to take the Club forward.

“It’s super exciting; absolutely one hundred per cent super exciting,” he said.

“If all of the first and second year players can just lift and improve an extra 15 or 20 per cent next year, we’re going to see rapid improvements.”