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Brayden Maynard never wanted to be one of them AFLvillains of.
But while his teammates still love him and Collingwood keep winning, it’s a persona the Magpies hardman is happy to embrace.
Maynard will line up for his 200th game against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday after establishing himself as one of the AFL’s most uncompromising defenders.
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He is a Magpie favorite – and opposition fans’ nightmare.
“I really don’t like being hated by other fans. But I can see why they hate me,” the shy Maynard said before his milestone.
“But I promise I’m a good person, a great person.
“The only thing that really matters to me is what my team-mates and the club think of me and I know that within the four walls I think I have a lot of respect and love from everyone at this club.
“So that’s all that matters to me. I don’t really pay attention to outside noise.
“The guys I run with every week are the guys I play for and they play for me.”
Maynard then became Public Enemy No. 1 for Melbourne fans his clash with Angus Brayshaw in last year’s qualifying final, knocking out the popular Demon and ultimately ending his career.
He faced the Demons for the first time since King’s birthday on Monday and was superb.
While he received less heat from the Demons players than he expected, each of Maynard’s possessions was greeted by a chorus of boos from the Melbourne fans – soon drowned out by the cheers of their Collingwood counterparts.
“There was a bit of a buildup. I actually tried to stay away from social media because I knew everything would pop up again,” he said.
“So, in that sense, I did pretty well.
“To be booed every time I got the ball, but then to have the Magpies army come over those boos and cheer loudly, that really meant a lot.”
Maynard is adamant that his character off the field and his personality on the field are two very different people.
His competitiveness came to the fore early – when he realized that school wasn’t for him, football was his “one tree” and he had to give it his all.
“It’s a bit of white fever. I get pretty angry and pretty aggressive when I cross that white line, but it’s just part of who I am and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.
“And I don’t think I’d be here today if I didn’t have that balance between when I’m off the field, I’m a relaxing, big, gentle giant, but when I cross it, I’m a different beast.”
Maynard is hoping Nick Dykos will be ready for his big game after suffering a blocked tibia against Dees.
The gun midfielder did not train on Wednesday and will have to prove his fitness later in the week to play.
“You’d have to ask him, but I think he’d be right to get up,” Maynard said.
“He is healthy.”
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