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AFL boss hoses down talk of introducing red card rule

Gillon McLachlan has hosed down talk of the AFL introducing send-off rules in the wake of Andrew Gaff’s shocking punch on Andrew Brayshaw.

West Coast’s Gaff will face the tribunal this week and could miss the rest of the season after his hit on Brayshaw forced the Fremantle youngster into emergency surgery.

He will not return this year after having his jaw badly broken and several teeth repaired.

The incident and its aftermath – Gaff was targeted by the Dockers and left the field dazed after one bump – left many questioning whether it was time to follow numerous other sports and introduce red cards.

Local football leagues around the country already have similar systems in place, but McLachlan declared the option was not on the table for the elite level.

“I played in the amateurs and there were inconsistencies there,” McLachlan said on Talking Footy

Gillon McLachlan has hosed down talk of introducing a red card rule in the AFL. Pic: Getty
Gillon McLachlan has hosed down talk of introducing a red card rule in the AFL. Pic: Getty

“I think if you did it, you couldn’t really go to a video referee, I think the umpire would have to make a call on the spot.

“We don’t see that stuff much in our game anymore.

“I think we have a system of accountability that works generally.”

AFL legend Leigh Matthews was among the voices pushing for the introduction of send-off rules on Monday.

“This is the (second) incident this year … where the send-off rule should have applied,” Matthews told Macquarie radio, noting GWS forward Jeremy Cameron’s stray elbow on Brisbane’s Harris Andrews in round 14.

“I hope the AFL, behind the scenes, are asking themselves the question.

“Brayshaw’s lost to Fremantle, therefore Gaff should be lost to the Eagles.”

Matthews also floated the idea of replays being used in the future to help umpires decide if an incident is a clear-cut send-off.

“We need to upgrade the video reviewing official,” he said.

“The field umpire wouldn’t have even seen this incident, so they don’t even know about it.”

with AAP