West Coast Eagles midfielder Andrew Gaff said that he "feels sick" following Sunday afternoon's Derby with Fremantle after he broke Andrew Brayshaw's jaw with a punch.
The 26-year-old caught the youngster with a left hook in the third quarter of his side's 58-point loss, seeing the match explode into life.
Tensions flared as Dockers players attempted to exact their revenge on Gaff after news spread that Brayshaw was headed to hospital with what was later confirmed to be a broken jaw, which will require surgery.
Fox Footy's David King spoke to Gaff following the dramatic match at Optus Stadium.
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"I just want to apologise to Andy," Gaff said.
"I feel sick. I feel sick about it. I did the wrong thing and I'd like to think it doesn't indicate my character although my main thought is how he is.
"My only thought is how Andy is. What will happen, will happen."
Check out the video of the hit below.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson echoed those sentiments, saying Gaff was in shock following the incident.
“It’s not my position to comment. Gaffy is pretty upset and all he is thinking about is Andy and his family.” Simpson on Gaff incident. pic.twitter.com/Ao8JpOgjy2
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) August 5, 2018
“He’s rattled. He’s in a bit of shock. We’re trying to put our arm around him a little bit. As much as it might have looked intentional, knowing Gaffy, it might not have been.” Simpson
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) August 5, 2018
An emotional Ross Lyon was also asked about the incident after the match, with the Dockers coach saying it was hard to see Brayshaw's mum in tears following the hit.
Lyon: I think the incident with Gaff is self evident #AFLEaglesFreo #foreverfreo
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) August 5, 2018
Lyon: Andy was pretty distraught but he's a really tough kid #AFLEaglesFreo #foreverfreo
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) August 5, 2018
What can only be described as a brain explosion could have serious ramifications on the rest of the season.
He will almost certainly have to front up to the tribunal on Tuesday night and he's staring down the very real possibility of not playing again for the rest of the season.
Melbourne's Tom Bugg got six weeks for a similar incident last season.
Should Gaff, who has never been suspended in 175 games, get the same penalty, West Coast would need to play four finals for him to feature again in 2018.
For those keeping score, if the Eagles finish in the top four, that would mean losing the qualifying final and winning the next two to play in the grand final.
Gaff is off-contract at the end of the year and is attracting significant interest from his native Victoria, meaning Sunday's dramatic Derby could be his last game for the club.
