Few AFL defenders make opponents feel their presence quite like Brayden Maynard. The Collingwood vice-captain has built a reputation as one of the competition’s most physical backmen since debuting in 2015.
Age: 27 (born 20 September 1996) ·
Height: 189 cm ·
Position: Defender ·
Games played (as of 2024): 244 ·
Club: Collingwood Football Club ·
Debut year: 2015
Quick snapshot
- Born 20 September 1996 (Wikipedia)
- 244 AFL games as of 2024 (Collingwood FC)
- Premiership player in 2023 (Collingwood FC)
- All-Australian in 2022 (AFL)
- Close to playing his 250th AFL game (Collingwood FC)
- Recurring foot issues affect availability in 2025 (AFL)
- Expected to reach 250 games milestone in 2025 (Collingwood FC)
- Contract runs through 2027 after re-signing (Collingwood FC)
Among the key facts about the Collingwood defender, a few stand out.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Brayden Maynard |
| Date of birth | 20 September 1996 |
| Age | 27 |
| Height | 189 cm |
| Playing position | Defender |
| Club | Collingwood Football Club |
| Debut year | 2015 |
| Games played | 244 |
| Nationality | Australian |
The pattern: Maynard is a long-serving, high-impact defender whose career stats reflect durability and elite performance.
Who Is Brayden Maynard?
Brayden Maynard is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Collingwood Magpies in the AFL. He was drafted with pick 30 in the 2014 AFL draft and made his debut in 2015 (Wikipedia). Since 2023, he has served as one of the club’s vice-captains, a role that underscores his leadership on and off the field (Collingwood FC – official club website).
What is Brayden Maynard known for?
- His aggressive, physical style of play – described by the club as a “heart and soul player” (Collingwood FC)
- Being a premiership defender in 2023 and an All-Australian in 2022 (Wikipedia)
- Ranking among Collingwood’s most durable backmen, with 244 career games (Collingwood FC)
The implication: Maynard is not just a lockdown defender but a player whose physicality often dictates the tempo of games.
How Old Is Brayden Maynard?
Brayden Maynard was born on 20 September 1996, making him 27 years old as of 2024 (Wikipedia).
How Tall Is Brayden Maynard?
Maynard stands 189 cm tall, a typical height for an AFL key defender (Wikipedia).
What Position Does Brayden Maynard Play?
He plays as a defender, primarily in the backline for Collingwood (Collingwood FC). His role involves shutting down opposition forwards and launching counter-attacks.
Who Is Brayden Maynard’s Partner?
Brayden Maynard is in a relationship, but he has not publicly confirmed his partner’s name. This aspect of his personal life remains private.
Is Brayden Maynard Injured?
In 2025, Maynard has dealt with a run of injuries. He suffered a shoulder dislocation in Round 13 and was expected to be available after one to two weeks (Collingwood FC – injury update). A plantar fascia problem flared up later in the season, forcing him to be subbed out in the first quarter against North Melbourne and sit out a match against Fremantle (AFL – official match report).
What injury does Brayden Maynard have?
- Shoulder dislocation (Round 13, 2025) – recovery timeline 1–2 weeks (Collingwood FC)
- Plantar fascia issue (2025) – resulted in substitution and rest (AFL)
- Rib concern (2026 tribunal incident) – coach Craig McRae reported he would be fit to play (7NEWS)
Maynard’s 2025 injury history shows the physical toll of his aggressive playing style. For Collingwood, managing his availability is critical to maintaining backline stability.
What Awards Has Brayden Maynard Won?
- AFL Premiership with Collingwood in 2023 (Wikipedia)
- All-Australian selection in 2022 (Collingwood FC)
- Runner-up in club best and fairest (2nd place) in 2021 and equal 2nd in 2023 (Wikipedia)
The pattern: Maynard’s individual accolades align with Collingwood’s team success, reflecting his value as a top-tier defender.
Timeline
- – Born
- – Drafted by Collingwood with pick 30 (Wikipedia)
- – AFL debut for Collingwood (Wikipedia)
- – Finished 2nd in club best and fairest (Wikipedia)
- – Premiership; equal 2nd in best and fairest; named vice-captain (Collingwood FC)
- – Ruled out for a match due to plantar fascia injury (AFL)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: 20 September 1996 (Wikipedia)
- Height: 189 cm (Wikipedia)
- Club: Collingwood (Collingwood FC)
- Debut: 2015 (Wikipedia)
- Games played: 244 (Collingwood FC)
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of plantar fascia injury – not officially detailed (AFL)
- Partner’s identity not publicly confirmed by Maynard
Quotes from coaches and club sources
“He’s a heart and soul player – exactly what you want in a vice-captain.”
– Collingwood Football Club (official player profile)
“He would be fit to take on North Melbourne despite the rib concern.”
– Craig McRae, Collingwood senior coach (7NEWS)
“Maynard is a robust AFL player opposition coaches would love to have.”
– The Guardian (via research notes)
Brayden Maynard’s career arc – from a mid-range draft pick to a premiership-winning vice-captain – illustrates the value of physical commitment. For Collingwood, the challenge is keeping him on the field. With a contract through 2027 and 250 games within reach, the decision for the Magpies is clear: manage his body carefully, or risk losing their most uncompromising defender when it matters most.
Maynard’s aggressive style wins games but also exposes him to recurring injuries. For a team chasing another premiership, that trade-off may be worth it – but only if the medical staff can keep him available.
Related reading: Travis Head: Career Stats, Controversies & Personal Life · Ronaldo Mulitalo: NRL career, ethnicity, age, salary & updates
collingwoodfc.com.au, grns.com.au, reddit.com, instagram.com, collingwoodfc.com.au, sed.visionaustralia.org, keeperfantasy.com, facebook.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Brayden Maynard’s height?
189 cm (Wikipedia).
How many games has Brayden Maynard played?
244 games as of 2024 (Collingwood FC).
Is Brayden Maynard married?
Maynard is in a relationship but has not publicly confirmed a marriage or partner’s name.
What team does Brayden Maynard play for?
Collingwood in the AFL (Wikipedia).
How old is Brayden Maynard?
27 years old (born 20 September 1996) (Wikipedia).
What position does Brayden Maynard play?
Defender (Collingwood FC).
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Data, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.