West Coast star's 'dog shot' overshadows emphatic derby victory
West Coast’s Andrew Gaff is in hot-water for his brutal off-the-ball incident that sent Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw to hospital.
The West Coast derby quickly heated up when Gaff took a swing at the 18-year-old, sending him to the turf and requiring medical assistance.
Fans watching the match reacted to the incident, sparking a heated debate over whether the hit was intentional or not.
Adam Simpson says that's footy. No mate that's assault #AFLEaglesFreo
— Hitchy (@H_i_t_c_h_y) August 5, 2018
Who cares about how Gaff is feeling and his character, how bout young Brayshaw. #AFLEaglesFreo
— PB (@Polche81) August 5, 2018
Dog shot from Andrew Gaff! Season over #AFLEaglesFreo
— Patrick Hogan (@patrickhogan4) August 5, 2018
Gaff clearly didn't mean to get him in the head but if you throw an arm like that you are responsible for the consequences, in the vision brayshaws knees bend as he changes direction and that's why it goes high. #AFLEaglesFreo
— Ryan (@ryan_smithy) August 5, 2018
The Gaff incident is bloody terrible, but why does it matter if he hit an 18 year old? Makes absolutely no difference.
Really hoping to damage to Brayshaw is as little as possible #AFLEaglesFreo— Neil Harper (@nharper021) August 5, 2018
Gaff went for the jumper punch and the kid ducked into it. Unfortunate but not intentional. #AFLEaglesFreo
— Dan from Perth (@dj_schmid) August 5, 2018
Sending love to the Brayshaw family and looking forward to Gaff taking a loooooong holiday – that isn’t football. #AFLEaglesFreo
— Hannah Warren (@hannahjwarren_) August 5, 2018
Fremantle posted an update on Brayshaw’s condition after the youngster was transported from the field in a bloodied condition.
“Andrew Brayshaw off to hospital now,” Fremantle tweeted.
“Being treated for a broken jaw.”
The incident is set to be directed straight to the AFL tribunal, and it could attract a ban of anywhere from three to seven weeks.
Only three more rounds remain in the home-and-away season, with the Eagles on track to finish second.
It means West Coast may only have six games remaining in their year – even if they reach the grand final.
Gaff appeared to be crying after making his way to the bench late in the third quarter, with coach Adam Simpson coming down to comfort him.
The midfielder returned to the field in the fourth quarter, and continued to be targeted by Dockers players seeking revenge.
Gaff was eventually picked off by a fierce Michael Johnson bump, leaving the Eagle dazed and confused.
Johnson, who will retire at season’s end and was a late replacement for Joel Hamling, is set to come under scrutiny over the bump.
Gaff was able to play out the match, and was mobbed by his teammates after kicking a final-quarter goal in front of 57,375 fans.
Eagles goalsneak Liam Ryan could be in strife for a high bump on Lachie Neale.
Numerous other spotfires broke out in the second half, with the match to be remembered as the most spiteful clash between the two arch rivals since the demolition derby in round 21, 2000.
Eagles midfielder Elliot Yeo won the Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield for his 26-disposal, two-goal effort.
Gaff’s punch on Brayshaw overshadowed another impressive performance by the Eagles.
West Coast (14-5) are six competition points clear of third-placed GWS, and eight points clear of five other sides.
They take on the Power in Adelaide next Saturday, before facing Melbourne (home) and Brisbane (away).
with AAP.