Andrew Gaff has been handed the equal-longest AFL suspension this century, after a punch to Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw which saw the Eagles’ midfielder cop an eight-match ban.
The sanction handed to Gaff means that his season is over, ruling him out of the last three matches of the home and away season plus all rounds during the finals — depending on if West Coast make it far into the finals series. The Tribunal hearing which delivered the ban to Gaff lasted just over two hours, as numerous character references were read out in defence of the 26-year-old. AFL legal counsel Jeff Gleeson QC said, “Good people do bad things. It doesn’t make them bad people”. He stated that he was not punishing the character of Gaff, but the action that had been taken. But whilst believing the references that defended Gaff’s character, he did not hold back on his description of the incident. “Unrestrained in its execution, ferocious in its impact and grave in its consequences,” Gleeson said. Gleeson argued that a sanction of 8-12 matches would be appropriate, but Gaff’s legal representative, David Grace QC disagreed and stated that the suggestion was “manifestly excessive” and a “demonstratively high figure”. Grace believed a minimum of three matches would be more appropriate, but did not suggest a definitive sanction. It took just 14 minutes for the Tribunal’s jury of Shane Wakelin, David Neitz and Wayne Henwood to decide on the eight-match sanction. The only other player to receive a sanction of eight matches this century was Dean Solomon, back in 2008 when he elbowed Cameron Ling. When the hearing concluded, Gaff fronted reporters and cameramen outside and apologised for his action. “First of all, I just want to say I’m so, so sorry for Andrew and the Brayshaw family and the pain I’ve caused them over the last 48 hours,” Gaff said. “I respect the Brayshaw boys so much and the way they go about it. “I own my actions and it really hurts a lot. The last 48 hours have probably been the toughest couple of days of my life. The people that I’ve spoken to know the world of pain I’m in and how much I’m suffering. “I see myself as a caring, gentle and measured person. That’s why it’s disappointing. “I’m disappointed for Andrew, I’m disappointed in myself, I’m disappointed to let my teammates down at an important time of the year and I’m disappointed to let my supporters down as well. “For the time being, I’m going to surround myself with my friends and family and those who care for me most. But once again, I just want to apologise wholeheartedly to Andrew and I hope he gets better soon.” The punch to Brayshaw’s mouth means that the 18-year-old will later require dental surgery to fix or replace the teeth that had been hinged backwards.
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