Punch could spell the end for Eagle ace
BROWNLOW Medal hope Andrew Gaff faces a long ban that could end his season after the West Coast star punched Fremantle youngster Andrew Brayshaw in one of the most explosive episodes in westernderby history.
The Eagles’ 58-point win at Perth Stadium last night was completely overshadowed by a mad third quarter which could ultimately rock the club’s premiership hopes. Gaff is set to be sent straight to the tribunal by match review officer Michael Christian today.
Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich described Gaff’s wild left fist — which left Brayshaw in hospital with a suspected broken jaw and missing teeth — as disturbing and called for a minimum of a three or fourweek ban. If the in-demand free agent cops a five-match suspension, it is possible he will never play for the Eagles again.
Brayshaw, the brother of Gaff’s West Coast teammate Hamish Brayshaw, is likely to miss the rest of the season with his injuries.
A visibly shattered Gaff, who has never been suspended, came to the bench later in the third quarter and appeared close to tears with his head in his hands.
Gaff returned to the field and was verbally and physically targeted by furious opponents and was then left groggy himself after copping a high shoulder from Fremantle veteran Michael Johnson.
Boundary rider David King feared the game would descend into chaos as Fremantle players learned what had happened. The incident appeared to go unseen by players.
“This really threatens to explode down here. It’s quite tense. It’s really quite volatile,” King said.
West Coast remains wellplaced for a top-two finish but now faces a huge test without ruckman Nic Naitanui and now Gaff for an extended period. Defender Will Schofield also suffered a hamstring injury in the opening term and did not return.
Elliot Yeo won the first re-named Glendinning-Allan Medal after starring with 26 touches and two goals.
Gaff finished an extraordinary day with 33 possessions and a goal, while Jack Redden was also superb with 33 disposals and a goal. Midfielders David Mundy, Lachie Neale and Bradley Hill were strong contributors for the Dockers.