West Coast Eagles midfielder Andrew Gaff has been suspended for eight weeks for his sickening punch on Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw, and the AFL world is predictably going nuts.
The punch ruled Brayshaw out for the rest of the season and will see him drinking through a straw for a month after fracturing his jaw.
At the tribunal, Gaff argued he had been aiming to hit Brayshaw in the chest but missed.
Gaff, who had an unblemished record, showed sincere remorse for the hit, saying the past 48-hours were the worst of his life.
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The jury took just 14 minutes to return their verdict, ruling the Eagles player out for the rest of the season.
On AFL 360 , Gerard Whately and Garry Lyon said eight weeks is "substantial," and that "it gives him a chance to rehabilitate."
On Twitter, some thought the punishment was too soft.
8 weeks for Gaff seems a bit limp.
— Declan Rurenga (@DeclanRurenga) August 7, 2018
Eight weeks for Gaff. Brayshaw has a broken jaw, three teeth knocked out and is eating through a tube in the side of his mouth.
— Denham Sadler (@denhamsadler) August 7, 2018
Eight weeks is the lower end of fair for Gaff hit imho. Thought 10 was about the mark.
— Ryan Reynolds (@Reynolds_R) August 7, 2018
Others reckoned it was spot on.
Outrage aside, reckon 8 for Gaff is about right. Disgraceful action, clearly aware of the enormity of his actions. Think the @WestCoastEagles have handled it terribly and with an uncomfortable level of arrogance.
— Tim Barrow (@TheBarrow) August 7, 2018
Eagles flag hopes surely gone now without him. #AFL
Eight weeks. Right decision. #gaff
— Jack Hudson (@jhudson_10) August 7, 2018
Eight weeks for #Gaff feels about right sends a message and takes in previous clean record #aflmrp #andrewgaff
— Paul Johnson (@pjohnson_sports) August 7, 2018
8 for Gaff. Which, all said and done, is about right.
— Gareth Parker (@G_Parker) August 7, 2018
There were always going to be comparisons to Barry Hall.
Barry Hall initially given 10 weeks for punching Brent Staker but had his suspension reduced to 7 on an early guilty plea. So Andrew Gaff will serve a longer suspension than Hall. Interesting one 🧐
— Liam Croy (@liamcroy) August 7, 2018
There were serious questions asked about his future at the Eagles as well.
What becomes of Andrew Gaff’s future at the Eagles? Huge outpouring of support from fans despite this act endangering their flag tilt. Does he feel the need repay the club’s support before considering a Vic club offer?
— Brett Sprigg (@BrettSprigg) August 7, 2018
If Gaff does leave the Eagles, the fact that his career in the West will end in this way will never be lived down. I wonder if this even influences his decision.
— Adam Hill (@adamhillmedia) August 7, 2018
Ha.
Eight weeks. Just as well Andrew Gaff didn't use sandpaper
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) August 7, 2018
There really needs to be a heavy ban placed on Gaff, enough for him to miss the rest of the season and all of finals.
— Jeremy (@jez99) August 7, 2018
If #Gaff doesn’t get 12 weeks I’m never watching a game of #afl again
— Keef (@Keef2566) August 7, 2018
Yeah well Adolf Hitler was Time Magazine's Person of the Year too #smug #Gaff #micdrop https://t.co/7xQ4UUUsxt
— Dennis Cometti (@DennisCometti7) August 7, 2018
You can see why the AFL use Gleeson to represent them... he’s brutal and good at what he does #AFL #Gaff
— Rhyss Wilson (@RBW__) August 7, 2018
Interesting question.
If Gaff's punch had collected his shoulder or chest rather than the poor bloke's jaw - how many weeks?
— Luke Martin (@lukemartin83) August 7, 2018
Gaff had flown to Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon and was given a police escort from the plane to the tribunal.
Footage taken from the airport shows Gaff exiting the plane and walking from the tarmac to a vehicle, while other passengers left the plane normally.
It didn't go down well with some.
The special treatment provided at Melbourne Airport to Andrew Gaff this lunchtime is a disgrace. He's not royalty, he's not the Prime Minister, he's not even a rock star. He should travel through the same processes as everyone else.
— Matt Thompson (@MattThompson) August 7, 2018
