If there was any debate that Round 20 of the AFL was the most explosive in history, Andrew Gaff landed the knockout blow.
In one swing of the arm, five games decided by less than a goal over 24 hours were consigned to the outer edges of footy talk. Prior to that they were the centrepiece.
Nothing gets the blood of players, coaches and supporters pumping like a bit of violence on the footy field, a throwback to the good old days.
Footy is at its best when fuelled by spite, as if a Western Derby ever needed a higher intensity, but it was there for all to see. The great pity was that the contest between West Coast and Fremantle was long since over.
It is unlikely and highly improbable that Gaff thought, “I’m going to break a jaw here, and knock out some teeth” when taking a swing at Andrew Brayshaw. There has been nothing in his eight years at West Coast to indicate that sort of intent.
But break a jaw he did. Teeth were scattered. The penalty is going to be hefty. It can’t be any other way. Nor should it be. The vision of Brayshaw leaving the field with blood streaming from him and all that red soaking a white towel won’t be forgotten.
Andrew Brayshaw leaves the field (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)
West Coast have a possible seven matches left this season. Three home-and-away games, and up to four finals. They won’t drop out of the top four, and a top-two finish is still the most likely scenario.
Winning their first final would see a preliminary final berth secured, with the grand final only one step away.
Tom Bugg received six weeks last year for a similar off-the-ball hit on Callum Mills. Mills played the next week, while Brayshaw is out for the season, but this is not necessarily relevant. Bugg could easily have done as much damage as Gaff did.
It feels as if society and the game itself has evolved even in the last 12 months. It’s statement time.
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The minimum penalty assigned to Gaff has to be seven matches. The time of year that this has happened works in the AFL’s favour. Symbolically, ending Gaff’s season is the right thing to do and the right message to send. At the very least, it’s a starting point.
There have been calls for up to 12 weeks, but eight to ten feels like the right wheelhouse.
These sorts of penalties, coupled with his status as an out-of-contract free agent beg the question, has Andrew Gaff played his last game for the Eagles?
If Gaff is genuinely undecided about where his future may lie, this incident may sway him to stay. He wouldn’t want to end his time at West Coast like this, and will feel he owes the club if they don’t go all the way to premiership glory this year.
Conversely, could he live in Perth for another two years, where every third person he sees on the street will be a Fremantle supporter eager to remind him of his actions? Being a player in a two-team town can take a heavy toll.
If he wants to be anonymous, St Kilda is a good place to be right now. The Saints’ drift into irrelevance under Alan Richardson could be perfect cover.
The other thing to come out of this incident is a revival of the red-card debate for the AFL. The conversation is a worthy one.
But the fact is this, does anyone in the country trust the AFL to get it right? It will start with the intention of only being used for Tom Bugg or Andrew Gaff incidents, but it is a mathematical certainty that it will be used beyond that, and wrongly.
Andrew Gaff (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
AFL is a game of many, many, many, many grey areas. Areas that the administration has shown themselves ill-equipped to handle.
The constant addition of rules, usually to correct errors made by previous changes. Endless adjustments to interpretations, from week to week. Video review incompetence. Match review panel.
Inconsistency is their trademark.
No, the AFL cannot bring in a send-off rule, if only to be protected from themselves. It is not worth it for the one or two incidents a year that might be worthy of it.
Andrew Gaff will be hit with one of the heftiest suspensions in the history of the game. It is penalty enough.
The only questions left now, are how many weeks will be get, and what jumper will he be wearing when he next graces an AFL field.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I don't think West Coast help themselves at times..... Nisbett having a crack at Lyon about not having facts straight, then making up the Golf Story..... West Coast handling of Gaff's tribunal appearance.... Actually trying to mount a case of provocation was disgusting..... To then add a time line of 3 weeks at the end..... For me Channel 7's questions about arrogance were on the money.
Macca
Guest
"My point is (so far) Cox hasn’t turned around and gone bang with his fist." He has thrown a few elbows though. And up until the weekend neither Gaff in 175 games at AFL level and another 100 odd at lower levels. Cox has played 37 at AFL level.
Macca
Guest
"Macca virtually claiming Gaff’s action was justifiable" here is where you have that reality issue again, virtual reality isn't actual reality. I have never said his actions were justifiable, just pointing to the mitigating factors. And the vision presented clearly shows more than "minor checking" of Gaff all day.
Macca
Guest
"Trump-like" is a comparison (and pretty a accurate one) not name calling. Speaking of alternate reality though I wonder both of these things can be true "Mr Grace also presented vision of several incidents in the lead-up to the strike, highlighting that Gaff’s run had repeatedly been impeded by his opponents. These incidents included scragging from Brayshaw on Gaff only moments before the major blow." "I hope you’re not implying there was cumulative actions of Brayshaw? Gaff ran around in plenty of space for most of Sunday’s game. Brayshaw was not running with him and it was only one of the rare times he had any visible contact with Gaff."
Macca
Guest
"But you are diminishing the action Macca by guessing his intent?" That is untrue, I said he should get 6-8 weeks (which was pretty much on the moneywhich is harldy dismissing it, I am simply trying to keep it in perspective. Given the only person who actually knows the intent has said exactly what I have been saying I think it is clear I had some idea.
Don Freo
Guest
It certainly would have sent grandma down the stairs.
Don Freo
Guest
Nup. You won't get anyone's agreement there (maybe Mattician). We have all seen it so many times.
Don Freo
Guest
That's an expensive ticket.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Only you could construe it that way. I suspect you haven't grasped the meaning of 'naive'.
Jon Boy
Guest
How naive, Gaff's resigning has nothing to do whatsoever with Brayshaw's recovery.
User
Roar Rookie
I will take the father's statement as a better guide over his early twenties son pete, the patriarch will be the guiding light not some AFL journos who's interest was getting that reaction.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I suspect the positive support that Gaff would have received fro his team mates and the club, he'll see them as family. Expect him to re-sign once he is certain Brayshaw has recovered. I'd imagine he doesn't want to make anything about him. For what it's worth, I'm with Mark Brayshaw. I think it was a hit to the chest that went horribly wrong.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Or Mitchell's knee on Fyfe? No weeks. Or Franklin's hit on Hamling? No weeks.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I'd argue there was no context. There was some minor checking. But there's the same refrain over and over by others who can be summarised going with something like "I'm not condoning Gaff's actions, but...". It's not to say that's what you intended, but it goes to the extent where you've got Macca virtually claiming Gaff's action was justifiable.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
"Dalgety – you really are Trump like"
Jon Boy
Guest
Andrew Brayshaw/s brother, Angus had absolutely no concern for Gaff whatsoever and rightly so. He also was not happy with Nesbitt claiming Andrew played golf with Gaff last week, Nesbitt should resign or at least apologize .WEAK Coast Eagles.
Col in paradise
Guest
Blame Siri Macca. Or don't you have it or google maps?
Col in paradise
Guest
True to a extent..I only started playing AFL in the 70's cos I got sent off and suspended for 3months..I thought I hadn't really committed the offence intentionally so penalty harsh..so loved the non send of rule, loved the freedom of the game and played for years...so mixed RE send off as in rugby they sometimes get it wrong...also if you dish it you got to also take it..staying on can show you what a ass you have been....
Col in paradise
Guest
Bruised or fractured ribs do happen and are damn painful....
Col in paradise
Guest
Watch the replay Bradshaw head is rising when hit....Christ like to see your view if a lil Baby Blue was belted like that.....