Andrew Gaff - RFA

[IceTemple]

I thought it was shown on the replay at the ground.

Not according to the media.

[Paul_Peos]

Awesome.

Dance Boss is on tonight.

[premature_rookie_ele]

helloooooo dannii.

[Ants]

I don’t know Gaff, but anyone that thinks that Gaff intentionally knocked out Brayshaws teeth, broke his jaw and concussed him, is drawing a long bow. Gaff did not look like a person who intended to cause such damage. Absolutely no doubt what Gaff did was reprehensible and has no place on a football field. However IMO, it seemed, Gaff was looking to punch Brayshaw in the guts - equally as bad - but Brayshaw crouched down at the time of impact. Gaff will do his time but criminal charges and all the other hyperbole is irresponsible commentary.

Should absolutely be charged. Would we accept a policeman belting a protester who had been an annoying git? What about Bouncer who did that to an annoying patron? A teacher who slaps a student after months of cheek and talk back? The first two examples most would say should certainly be charged with assault. The career consequences of the third would put Gaff’s penalties into the shadows.

Footballers should not be a protected species and live with what they do, if it crosses the line.

That all said, I think the AFL punishment should be more in the 8-12 odd week range. Consistency matters.

[SMJ]

I’m all for the nuclear option, a deliberate punch to the head that causes damage, you’re out for a year. But they can’t do it with this one as there’s been no notice. Give him 7 (same as Hall) and then announce there will be zero tolerance for hits like this going forward.

[SMJ]

Pretty sure the AFL will leave him scope to play in a GF if West Coast get there. They love a story and the redemption of Gaff in a GF would have the media excited.

What? Gaff playing in a GF after this would be a PR nightmare for the league and it’s the exact reason he’ll get a minimum of 7.

[dingus]

Will get 8 weeks and some community service for that. Absolute brain snap. You cant go around doing that sort of thing.

Is that what you’ve heard up there?

[Speedy_Gonzales]

Yep. And the fact missing a GF would be seen as additional penance to them not launching legal action perhaps.

Will be certainly some settlement $$ coming from Gaff’s new mega contract

[Bomb_Doe]

Gets a special escort from plane. Not quite the personal limo, but hey…

Genevieve Alison (GenevieveAlison)

[Shahid_Afridi]

Hirdy (on his podcast) suggested 8 wks down to 6 based on prior record. I think that is what will happen. So, he would play again only if WC make the grand final

If WC make the top 4 (likely) and win in the first week, then they’ll only play 3 finals if the make the GF.

[kingofthehill]

Is that Dodoro driving that Kia ute?

[Go_Team_2.0]

If he gets 20 games, would you still go after him in FA?

[Reboot]

I’m all for the nuclear option, a deliberate punch to the head that causes damage, you’re out for a year. But they can’t do it with this one as there’s been no notice. Give him 7 (same as Hall) and then announce there will be zero tolerance for hits like this going forward.

Trouble with that is who decide what was deliberate and what wasn’t. Gaf certainly didn’t aim to hit the guy in the face imo. So who gets to decide? Someone with you opinion, or someone with mine?

[6_monfries_and_coke]

seriously??? wtf is world coming to when an AFL FOOTBALLER GETS escorted into a waiting police car on the tarmac…

[Speedy_Gonzales]

I think you’ll find that players especially those getting tagged look to punch / base of hand into oppositions chest to slightly wind … or don’t argue esque to get separation.

It was noted Gaff had done similar not that long previously into the chest not the jaw though.

NicNat himself even mentioned they are coached to catch opposition rucks where Belly got him

Gaff however completely stuffed it either through brainfade or Brayshaw himself just moving down into target area.

Either way fkd outcome

[barnz]

That’s not a cop car…

[Benny40]

Meh. So what if they called Melbourne airport and asked if there was anything they could do. A couple of security guards, a ute, maybe 1hr of time. Probably paid for by Melbourne Airport corporation. Who gives a stuff?

[cul_de_sac]

I still can’t understand how he managed to bust his jaw and knock teeth out with that action

It looks like a fairly crude roundhouse aimed slightly downwards rather than upwards which would indicate he wasn’t aiming for the face, rather the chest

Gaff doesn’t seem to put any serious momentum behind it, he swivels the knee a bit but there is no windup and he’s clearly not putting everything behind it. It’s more of an arm action than a full body action

Brayshaw is also rocking away from the contact, if anything he should be taking a bit off the punch.

Contrast his action with Barry Hall’s who pirhouetted and put all his momentum behind the staker hit. That looked like it had serious intent and maximum power. However Brayshaw seemingly came off worse than staker.

With that sort of power Gaff should seriously consider a career in the ring

I think you might have a different opinion if there was clearer camera footage. Not every punch looks like it comes straight out of an action movie sequence.

[Stressed_out]

Listening to Angus on AFL Exchange podcast. Would be very interessting if gaff ended up at Melbourne. No love lost.

[andrewb]

I still can’t understand how he managed to bust his jaw and knock teeth out with that action

It looks like a fairly crude roundhouse aimed slightly downwards rather than upwards which would indicate he wasn’t aiming for the face, rather the chest

Gaff doesn’t seem to put any serious momentum behind it, he swivels the knee a bit but there is no windup and he’s clearly not putting everything behind it. It’s more of an arm action than a full body action

Brayshaw is also rocking away from the contact, if anything he should be taking a bit off the punch.

Contrast his action with Barry Hall’s who pirhouetted and put all his momentum behind the staker hit. That looked like it had serious intent and maximum power. However Brayshaw seemingly came off worse than staker.

With that sort of power Gaff should seriously consider a career in the ring

I think you might have a different opinion if there was clearer camera footage. Not every punch looks like it comes straight out of an action movie sequence.

Footage is pretty clear and shows two things:

Firstly Gaff doesn’t put his body behind the punch, shoulders and waist don’t pivot

Secondly Brayshaw is moving away from the contact