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Collingwoods Vice-Captain Brayden Maynard Faces Extended Absence After Double Shoulder Dislocation
Brayden Maynard, the Collingwood Magpies’ vice‑captain, suffered a second dislocation of his right shoulder during the King’s Birthday clash with Melbourne on 20 May 2026. The defender was removed from the field after the first quarter, returned for a brief stint in the second, and was forced off again when the shoulder popped out a second time.
A scan was performed on Tuesday morning, and Maynard told Fox Sports that he hopes to strengthen the joint and be ready to play in a couple of weeks. He added that if the shoulder proves unstable, he would consider surgery, citing his 2023 operation as a precedent. "I’ve been in these situations before, and I’ve been able to stick it and strengthen it up," he said.
Magpies head coach Craig McRae emphasized the injury’s seriousness in a post‑game statement. "We’re looking at a longer recovery for Maynard," McRae said. "If it goes again, we’ll consider surgery." He also referenced a similar shoulder issue affecting young defender Will Hayes, who dislocated his shoulder a few weeks earlier. "Will’s situation is a bit different," McRae noted. "But if it keeps happening, we’ll look at surgery as well."
Maynard’s 2023 surgery followed a season in which he managed the shoulder through most games. The 29‑year‑old has been a key part of Collingwood’s defensive structure since his debut in 2018, and his absence will be felt in the backline.
The King’s Birthday match ended in a narrow one‑point loss for Collingwood, with Melbourne winning 12.6 (78) to 12.5 (77). Maynard’s dislocations occurred early: he was on the field for just ten minutes in the first quarter before his shoulder dislocated for the first time. He returned for a brief stint in the second quarter, only to dislocate again.
Collingwood’s medical staff are conducting a full assessment of the shoulder’s stability and rotator cuff integrity. The club’s physiotherapy team will work with Maynard on strengthening exercises and protective taping, as he has done in previous seasons.
The Magpies’ roster is already stretched. The club is without skipper Darcy Moore, who is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury, and forward Jamie Elliott, who is recovering from a knee injury. The loss of Maynard adds to the defensive depth concerns.
Collingwood’s next match is scheduled for 27 May against the Brisbane Lions. With Maynard’s injury, the club will rely on other senior defenders and younger players to fill the gap.
The AFL has no specific return‑to‑play guidelines for shoulder dislocations, but clubs typically follow a period of rest, physiotherapy, and gradual load progression. If Maynard’s shoulder does not regain stability, a surgical procedure such as a Bankart repair or a Latarjet graft may be considered.
The club’s medical team will keep the public updated on Maynard’s progress. In the meantime, Collingwood will continue to compete for a spot in the finals series, with the Magpies aiming to finish in the top eight.
Maynard’s injury underscores the physical demands placed on AFL defenders. Shoulder dislocations are relatively common in the sport, especially among players who frequently engage in high‑impact contests. The Magpies’ coaching staff will monitor the shoulder’s condition closely as the season progresses.
In summary, Brayden Maynard has suffered a second right‑shoulder dislocation during the King’s Birthday match against Melbourne. He will undergo scans and a rehabilitation program, with the possibility of surgery if stability cannot be restored. Collingwood will play without him for the remainder of the season, relying on other defenders to maintain defensive solidity as the club pushes toward a finals berth.
A scan was performed on Tuesday morning, and Maynard told Fox Sports that he hopes to strengthen the joint and be ready to play in a couple of weeks. He added that if the shoulder proves unstable, he would consider surgery, citing his 2023 operation as a precedent. "I’ve been in these situations before, and I’ve been able to stick it and strengthen it up," he said.
Magpies head coach Craig McRae emphasized the injury’s seriousness in a post‑game statement. "We’re looking at a longer recovery for Maynard," McRae said. "If it goes again, we’ll consider surgery." He also referenced a similar shoulder issue affecting young defender Will Hayes, who dislocated his shoulder a few weeks earlier. "Will’s situation is a bit different," McRae noted. "But if it keeps happening, we’ll look at surgery as well."
Maynard’s 2023 surgery followed a season in which he managed the shoulder through most games. The 29‑year‑old has been a key part of Collingwood’s defensive structure since his debut in 2018, and his absence will be felt in the backline.
The King’s Birthday match ended in a narrow one‑point loss for Collingwood, with Melbourne winning 12.6 (78) to 12.5 (77). Maynard’s dislocations occurred early: he was on the field for just ten minutes in the first quarter before his shoulder dislocated for the first time. He returned for a brief stint in the second quarter, only to dislocate again.
Collingwood’s medical staff are conducting a full assessment of the shoulder’s stability and rotator cuff integrity. The club’s physiotherapy team will work with Maynard on strengthening exercises and protective taping, as he has done in previous seasons.
The Magpies’ roster is already stretched. The club is without skipper Darcy Moore, who is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury, and forward Jamie Elliott, who is recovering from a knee injury. The loss of Maynard adds to the defensive depth concerns.
Collingwood’s next match is scheduled for 27 May against the Brisbane Lions. With Maynard’s injury, the club will rely on other senior defenders and younger players to fill the gap.
The AFL has no specific return‑to‑play guidelines for shoulder dislocations, but clubs typically follow a period of rest, physiotherapy, and gradual load progression. If Maynard’s shoulder does not regain stability, a surgical procedure such as a Bankart repair or a Latarjet graft may be considered.
The club’s medical team will keep the public updated on Maynard’s progress. In the meantime, Collingwood will continue to compete for a spot in the finals series, with the Magpies aiming to finish in the top eight.
Maynard’s injury underscores the physical demands placed on AFL defenders. Shoulder dislocations are relatively common in the sport, especially among players who frequently engage in high‑impact contests. The Magpies’ coaching staff will monitor the shoulder’s condition closely as the season progresses.
In summary, Brayden Maynard has suffered a second right‑shoulder dislocation during the King’s Birthday match against Melbourne. He will undergo scans and a rehabilitation program, with the possibility of surgery if stability cannot be restored. Collingwood will play without him for the remainder of the season, relying on other defenders to maintain defensive solidity as the club pushes toward a finals berth.
