A lot has been written on this post about what a nice guy Gaff is, how uncharacteristic his attack on Brayshaw was, and how upset he currently is about his actions - almost to the extent that the authors are looking for reasons, in their own minds, to excuse his actions. I use the word “excuse” because those characteristics certainly don’t explain his actions. But they do offer a good number of Demon supporters some justification for still wanting Gaff to join the Dees.

But why did he do it? 

He didn’t try to chop an arm that may have been hindering him or use a “don’t argue” to gain some distance - the methods most players use to escape. He deliberately chose to use a forceful closed fist punch to break away. In terms of intent, where he hit Brayshaw is irrelevant, he chose to punch him. 

The pressure of the game situation couldn’t have caused this - WCE’s were winning comfortably, Gaff was playing very well and their top 2 position was not being threatened. 

The only explanation offered, because of his good character, is “brain fade”. A layman’s definition of brain fade could be an unconscious act or desire escaping the prison of the brain unfiltered. Minor brain fades occur all the time - he kicked when he should of handballed, or went for the mark when he should have punched. Players are skilled in what to do and what not to do every single week of their playing careers, it’s ingrained, and because of this, of all the thousands of players who have played AFL/VFL football, there have only been, fortunately, very few who have had brain fades of this magnitude - Bugg, Hall, Mathews to name some more recent players that come to mind. 

In fact a player of 170+ games, who knows how important he is to his teams success come September, would know internally that you don’t make stupid decisions that will jeopardise your teams chances. Yet he did.

Is he likely to do it again? Probably not, but who knows? Hall and Mathews certainly did. Bugg hasn’t to date. And quite apart from his impact on Brayshaw, his actions have certainly affected his team. And that to me is a huge issue.

We appear to have a wonderful group of current players and coaches who are developing our own unique team culture, and for me Gaff, post incident, and as good a player as he is, has shown that he could be a risk to that culture. So for all of that, and I know I am in the minority here, I would prefer if we didn’t chase Gaff.

 

 

2 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

A lot has been written on this post about what a nice guy Gaff is, how uncharacteristic his attack on Brayshaw was, and how upset he currently is about his actions - almost to the extent that the authors are looking for reasons, in their own minds, to excuse his actions. I use the word “excuse” because those characteristics certainly don’t explain his actions. But they do offer a good number of Demon supporters some justification for still wanting Gaff to join the Dees.

But why did he do it? 

He didn’t try to chop an arm that may have been hindering him or use a “don’t argue” to gain some distance - the methods most players use to escape. He deliberately chose to use a forceful closed fist punch to break away. In terms of intent, where he hit Brayshaw is irrelevant, he chose to punch him. 

The pressure of the game situation couldn’t have caused this - WCE’s were winning comfortably, Gaff was playing very well and their top 2 position was not being threatened. 

The only explanation offered, because of his good character, is “brain fade”. A layman’s definition of brain fade could be an unconscious act or desire escaping the prison of the brain unfiltered. Minor brain fades occur all the time - he kicked when he should of handballed, or went for the mark when he should have punched. Players are skilled in what to do and what not to do every single week of their playing careers, it’s ingrained, and because of this, of all the thousands of players who have played AFL/VFL football, there have only been, fortunately, very few who have had brain fades of this magnitude - Bugg, Hall, Mathews to name some more recent players that come to mind. 

In fact a player of 170+ games, who knows how important he is to his teams success come September, would know internally that you don’t make stupid decisions that will jeopardise your teams chances. Yet he did.

Is he likely to do it again? Probably not, but who knows? Hall and Mathews certainly did. Bugg hasn’t to date. And quite apart from his impact on Brayshaw, his actions have certainly affected his team. And that to me is a huge issue.

We appear to have a wonderful group of current players and coaches who are developing our own unique team culture, and for me Gaff, post incident, and as good a player as he is, has shown that he could be a risk to that culture. So for all of that, and I know I am in the minority here, I would prefer if we didn’t chase Gaff.

 

 

I tend to agree. When you punch hard. You intend to hurt. 

There was no need for it, as you have explained. 

I don’t consider Gaff “a nice guy” anymore and it was entirely his decision and doing

7 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

We appear to have a wonderful group of current players and coaches who are developing our own unique team culture, and for me Gaff, post incident, and as good a player as he is, has shown that he could be a risk to that culture. So for all of that, and I know I am in the minority here, I would prefer if we didn’t chase Gaff.

I doubt it.

The only risk to culture is if he takes up too much salary cap space, it will have nothing to do with the punch.

Lewis is a serial offender and has been very lucky not to have caused more damage in the past...he's said to be a positive player in our development of culture.

Gaff will be a big plus if he comes to us.

I guess I'll put this here.

 

29 minutes ago, Demonland said:

I guess I'll put this here.

 

It doesn't fill me with confidence that nobody has outright said if Gaff was open to joining Melbourne Angus wouldn't have a problem with it.

To be fair our interest only seems to be faint in the AFL media's view. While some people here seem to think his signature is something the club see's as a priority. Yet everytime Gus or someone else talks on Gus's behalf the feeling is he has a problem with Gaff. Now people who don't like eachother have played together before, but you would always prefer that everybody got on.

If it comes down to it i'm always going to say don't go after Gaff and maybe look at other options this year or next (J.Kelly)

Edited August 9, 20186 yr by MurDoc516

3 hours ago, Neil Crompton said:

A lot has been written on this post about what a nice guy Gaff is, how uncharacteristic his attack on Brayshaw was, and how upset he currently is about his actions - almost to the extent that the authors are looking for reasons, in their own minds, to excuse his actions. I use the word “excuse” because those characteristics certainly don’t explain his actions. But they do offer a good number of Demon supporters some justification for still wanting Gaff to join the Dees.

But why did he do it? 

...

 

 

Just had this exact discussion with a Hawks supporter at work. It was very frustrating until I read this.

On brain fades, well they can happen: like when I couldn't get some old guttering and silicon to come apart so instead of patiently working away, I drove a 20 tonne bulldozer into the entire shed in a pique of rage. The Wife Review Tribunal has handed down an extended sentence.

1 hour ago, -Ⓥ- said:

Just had this exact discussion with a Hawks supporter at work. It was very frustrating until I read this.

On brain fades, well they can happen: like when I couldn't get some old guttering and silicon to come apart so instead of patiently working away, I drove a 20 tonne bulldozer into the entire shed in a pique of rage. The Wife Review Tribunal has handed down an extended sentence.

That’s the spirit. Get the job done!

On 6/30/2018 at 8:23 PM, spirit of norm smith said:

100% get Gaff. Victorian boy. Barracked for the Dees. Offer a big 5 year deal around $600k a year. 

Gaff is exactly the connect player we need. Does it both when the Eagles are flying but lifts when others struggle.  

 

I think you’ll find it’s more like 950k a year

1 hour ago, Demons11 said:

I think you’ll find it’s more like 950k a year

As much as Gaff would complement our list, at that kind of price he isn't worth it. Would rather spend that king of money keeping our young core group together.

9 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

As much as Gaff would complement our list, at that kind of price he isn't worth it. Would rather spend that king of money keeping our young core group together.

I agree, it’s ridiculous money. 

He would sure compliment our list though.

He’s worth it

And I want him

Andrew Brayshaw not holding a grudge

 

https://coupler.foxsports.com.au/api/v1/article/amp/afl/im-not-going-to-hold-a-grudge-fremantle-young-gun-andrew-brayshaw-forgives-west-coast-star-andrew-gaff/news-story/5b07c86ede27b1166d449bc8dd0877e2?__twitter_impression=true

Edited August 9, 20186 yr by Mickey

1 minute ago, Mickey said:

Andrew Brayshaw not holding a grudge

 

https://coupler.foxsports.com.au/api/v1/article/amp/afl/im-not-going-to-hold-a-grudge-fremantle-young-gun-andrew-brayshaw-forgives-west-coast-star-andrew-gaff/news-story/5b07c86ede27b1166d449bc8dd0877e2?__twitter_impression=true

I'm more impressed by the Brayshaw family every time they give an interview about this situation.  

Slightly off topic, but am I the only one who had no idea Hamish Brayshaw was on West Coast’s list until all this unfolded? ?

1 hour ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

He’s worth it

And I want him

I agree. A flag if he helps in material way is worth 1m p.a.

I'm always impressed with how well we keep information behind closed doors these days.

North play all of their interest in players out in the press.  The Saints have come out recently and declared their interest in Hannebery.  The Bombers talk about how they want to wheel and deal during trade week this year.

Us?  We just go about our business quietly.  We re-sign our key players and get the job done outside of that when we need to.  There is no need to go through the press or to declare interest in players when we don't need to.

We may well be into Gaff, but outside of the party line, you won't see us offering up info or leaking anything to the press.  We're a professional club these days and it reflects in all facets of the day to day running of the team as a whole.

17 minutes ago, Nasher said:

Slightly off topic, but am I the only one who had no idea Hamish Brayshaw was on West Coast’s list until all this unfolded? ?

Probably.

8 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I tend to agree. When you punch hard. You intend to hurt. 

There was no need for it, as you have explained. 

I don’t consider Gaff “a nice guy” anymore and it was entirely his decision and doing

I'm sure he'll be devastated.

10 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

I'm always impressed with how well we keep information behind closed doors these days.

North play all of their interest in players out in the press.  The Saints have come out recently and declared their interest in Hannebery.  The Bombers talk about how they want to wheel and deal during trade week this year.

Us?  We just go about our business quietly.  We re-sign our key players and get the job done outside of that when we need to.  There is no need to go through the press or to declare interest in players when we don't need to.

We may well be into Gaff, but outside of the party line, you won't see us offering up info or leaking anything to the press.  We're a professional club these days and it reflects in all facets of the day to day running of the team as a whole.

To be fair I don’t think the Lever to Melbourne thing last year was exactly a secret nor our interest in Gaff to be playing in the red and blue next year. Both have been telegraphed

Just now, FarNorthernD said:

To be fair I don’t think the Lever to Melbourne thing last year was exactly a secret nor our interest in Gaff to be playing in the red and blue next year. Both have been telegraphed

True, but I don't feel as though it was played out in the media like other clubs are want to do these days.  Maybe I have selective memory, but I felt that, while it seemed like we were in the frame for Lever, we weren't splashing it all over the papers.  North, for example, seem to be flinging money at any free agent that will listen to them.  Not only that but it's affecting current players who have to wait while they try and lure other players so they can give them the money these other players might deserve.  It's not a good look.

12 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

I'm sure he'll be devastated.

Sorry for having a different attitude to many. 

I have my reasons. 

30 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

True, but I don't feel as though it was played out in the media like other clubs are want to do these days.  Maybe I have selective memory, but I felt that, while it seemed like we were in the frame for Lever, we weren't splashing it all over the papers.  North, for example, seem to be flinging money at any free agent that will listen to them.  Not only that but it's affecting current players who have to wait while they try and lure other players so they can give them the money these other players might deserve.  It's not a good look.

North will take anyone who is prepared to come to them. It's not that much different to MFC from 5-10 years ago. The main difference IMO is that Norf is getting in before they bottom out, whereas we thought we were on the bottom and thought we were on the way up with all our high draft picks.

North has performed well this year due to an easy draw, not because of their list. They KNOW they don't have much time left before they bottom out big time. It will be a long rebuild for the Kangas if they cant snag a couple of guns with all the cash they are offering up, but even then, a couple of good players won't get them a premiership.

This time around, we have gone about it the way good teams do... build the basis of a premiership team from the draft, and trade for the missing pieces. 

Norf are us from a few years back... paying overs for decent players just to get someone to take the bait. (First signing will probably be Aaron Hall on big coin). Sainters will be the same this year.

I have never been a fan of being "patient", in fact the last decade has shitted me to tears,  but the Dees are showing that a slow, considered, focused rebuild is really the best way to go about it.

Im a believer.

48 minutes ago, ding said:

North will take anyone who is prepared to come to them. It's not that much different to MFC from 5-10 years ago. The main difference IMO is that Norf is getting in before they bottom out, whereas we thought we were on the bottom and thought we were on the way up with all our high draft picks.

North has performed well this year due to an easy draw, not because of their list. They KNOW they don't have much time left before they bottom out big time. It will be a long rebuild for the Kangas if they cant snag a couple of guns with all the cash they are offering up, but even then, a couple of good players won't get them a premiership.

This time around, we have gone about it the way good teams do... build the basis of a premiership team from the draft, and trade for the missing pieces. 

Norf are us from a few years back... paying overs for decent players just to get someone to take the bait. (First signing will probably be Aaron Hall on big coin). Sainters will be the same this year.

I have never been a fan of being "patient", in fact the last decade has shitted me to tears,  but the Dees are showing that a slow, considered, focused rebuild is really the best way to go about it.

Im a believer.

Hope you are right. I want Nought to plummet 

1 hour ago, Wiseblood said:

I'm always impressed with how well we keep information behind closed doors these days.

We just go about our business quietly.  We re-sign our key players and get the job done outside of that when we need to.

 

Let's face it. We're pretty f***ing awesome.

2 hours ago, Nasher said:

Slightly off topic, but am I the only one who had no idea Hamish Brayshaw was on West Coast’s list until all this unfolded? ?

Yes