";s:4:"text";s:5260:"Andrew Gaff has been handed a ban of eight weeks by the AFL tribunal for his horrific punch on Fremantle 18-year-old Andrew Brayshaw. Contribute. And I completely understand trying to find some sort of positive out of a horrendously negative situation because that’s what all humans try and do.Now usually I’m the first one to go in to bat for West Coast fans because as one, I don’t like hearing bad things about myself. View Andrew Gaff’s profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community.
CALLS are getting louder for Andrew Gaff to face criminal charges for a “cowardly assault” that broke an opponent’s jaw. Gaff had an extremely consistent season in 2012, gathering a total of 591 disposals and booting 9 goals for the season.Gaff had another consistent year in 2016, despite being knocked unconscious in round 9 by Port Adelaide's Tom Jonas, causing him to miss a week and dip in form, albeit slightly. Yes, it’s awful because Gaffy has always struck me as one of the nice ones. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Andrew’s connections and jobs at similar companies. There’s no shying away from it.Andrew Gaff has made a serious mistake, but it seems like you’re asking us to abandon him because of it. I know West Coast get a bad rap as fans and most of the time I can put it down to jealousy or part of the game, but yesterday I was truly in two minds about things.But what about the real victim?Everyone who makes a mistake and faces the consequences for it is entitled to a support network.At the game yesterday I said to my Fremantle-supporting friend sitting next to me that I wish there was some way to tell Andy Brayshaw how sorry I am.Sport is a funny old thing because it’s the one time in our lives when we’re actively encouraged to dislike another group of complete strangers and it is completely socially acceptable.If we’re going to start applying ‘normal’ situation to a sports game well let’s just pack up and go home.My pathetic little action was far less about relishing or condoning what had happened, but I suppose a desperate attempt to try and look after someone who would be punishing himself.The over-the-top reaction to a simple social media post, which frankly demonstrated a desire to help Gaff get through a hard point in his life, while unexpected, is disappointing.There has been and will be serious consequences. Not the suspension - frankly that’s the last thing we should be worrying about.But the club also shared Andrew’s apology and the hit itself on social media. Gaff himself was the victim of a hit from Port’s Tom Jonas a few years back that brought out the mongrel in both our players and fans.To Andy Brayshaw, his family, friends and teammates, I wish you nothing but love.We, Eagles fans that is, should be worried about the speedy recovery of a young man who doesn’t deserve to be in a hospital bed. Login to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. Andrew Gaff Wiki-Bio. Andrew Gaff (born 16 June 1992) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). He will agonise over this.Not a network who justifies the actions or makes light of them, but a network who says you’re not on your own in this.We know it happened and every single fan feels the same bitter disappointment and shame.But I think there will be a lot of blue and gold-bleeding people, like me, who have woken up with a horrible feeling in the pit of our stomachs.I clapped when Gaff came off because, well really, I’m not sure why.