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Just heard Mark Brayshaw on SEN. He spoke exactly as I suspected. Thankfully, he has far more class than the outrage merchants on here who seem to salivate during these types of unfortunate events.

Holy [censored] I hope this wasn't an intentional ad placement.

Confirmed. This was in the copy of the paper I found.

It’s set up for us... We win out there is a very strong chance we finish 2nd. GWS injuries are piling up again & we know the loss of Gaff on field is huge for WC but who knows what the impact of the situation will have on the team from a moral/mental state point of view. The possibility of a double chance & potentially 2 home finals. It’s there if the boys are fairdinkum... I’m supremely confident this week. Sydney are nowhere, lost to GC 3 weeks ago (yes it was a better side then we faced but please no’one losers to GC at home) Essendon accounted for them fairly easily & they fell in against an injury plagued Collingwood side with a first gamer on buddy & a freak grubber kick off the ground from McCartin. We win this week & head to Perth full of confidence... We all need to embrace this, I sense the feeling of uneasiness & unrest of the potential what if scenarios.. We deserve to dream, instead of the dooms day “what if’s” embrace the glory “what if’s” we’ve been so negative as supporters for so long, we all need to go the footy this Sunday thinking “how goods this, round 21 & we’re fighting for a top 4/top 8 spot” What we’ve all wanted for so long, just a chance to have a legiment crack at it

Just to bring things back to the original topic for a moment. Heard something which may be of interest here. I can’t reveal the source but you will just have to trust me that it’s solid (if not I don’t really care), it seems that the coach and a number of leadership players from WC have been hounding/niggling Gaff about not making a decision at training and during games for about the last 4 weeks, and Gaff is said to be very uncomfortable about this. So much so that his parents have been traveling to the games to provide support for him as he is said the be really struggling with it. No mention of whether this is making him want to leave or not, so make of it what you will. If I was in the same boat I would be more inclined to leave under those circumstances.

The real question is, how can such lovely people (The Brayshaws), be related to that [censored] from North Melbourne?

I get what you're saying but I think his ability to be able to be moved around depending on which way the wind is blowing is one of his greatest assets.

Just listening to David King on 360 and his very reasonable comments about the moral outrage ( my words not his ) that have accompanied this incident. Yeah it was a shocker but don't the media love it. [censored] me the vultures would love another big whack this weekend so that they could continue the sanctimonious [censored] they have been wallowing in.

Compare the Brayshaw family's demeanour with facebook nuffies who whip up a frenzy if someone next to them on the plane farts. Dignity compassion and restraint in the face of a genuinely upsetting incident. Admirable and a great example.

First week of VFL Finals coincides with the AFL week off. He could make it back for that and get game minutes. Viney is exactly who we need come AFL finals.

We still have the exclusive.

It's impossible to fathom the thinking of many posters here. "Viney upsets the balance of the midfield", "Viney's not that good anyway", "Viney will never play again". He's a bona fide star who won the 2016 B&F at 22. He makes us better and I am hope he is able to get back for finals as planned.

The important people in this (the Brayshaw family) have forgiven. I found the conversation between Mark Brayshaw and Gaff's dad (who rang to apologise) quite moving. Both fathers and families have shown great understanding and are role models for others who find themselves in very difficult circumstances with their children. If the Brayshaws can move on surely the rest of us can be equally forgiving - even if some with elephant like memories never forget.

I too feel for Gaff for a number of reasons: He is genuinely heartbroken for the incident. He knows what it is like to be the victim. 2 years ago he was on the receiving end of a Jonas elbow to his head. It was in a marking contest but Gaff had no idea it was coming. Jonas got 6 weeks. Some argued it should have been 8. He now has 8 months to sweat it out before taking the field again and have a chance to redeem his reputation. Players play to participate in finals and hopefully win a premiership. Missing 2 to 4 finals is a bigger penalty than 8 home and away games. On DL we are especially emotional over this incdent because Andy is Gus' little bro and most are keenly interested in getting Gaff to our club. Any other two players from other clubs and I doubt it would have anywhere near as much attention. Gaff at the Dees? I think he fits the Goodwin type player of tough, competitive and humble. The way he has conducted himself in the aftermath of a very sad episode says a lot about his character. Edit: Thanks @MSFebeyfor adding the video of the Jonas/Gaff incident in post below. Gaff was out cold before he hit the ground and stayed there for a very long time. A player does not easily forget the damage a hit to the head can do. Gaff's remorse is especially compelling in the circumstances.

Who's having a better season? Watts or Fritsch?

When Gaff was talking about the incident, he mentioned that at the time he did not want to go back out on the field. Given where the game was at, with the Eagles winning comfortably, it is surprising that Simpson and the Eagles player welfare team did not advise him to finish up for the day. The vision of Gaff on the bench distraught, with Simpson trying to talk with him seems to look like he is frustrated that he has to continue playing. Where I am going with this is, I wonder if that will have any impact on his decision whether to stay or leave. If he felt that he wasn't looked after as a player of the Eagles, it may way his decision away from staying there. Drawing a long bow I know but just some food for thought. On a side note, the Eagles as an organisation has had a very poor year off the field in the way they have conducted themselves. From someone who previously lived in Perth, couldn't have happened to a better club, they really are an arrogant bunch of to$$ers!

Shouldn't it be Clarry thst weight?

I don’t feel sorry or sad for Gaff. At least not yet. He smashed a kid in the face for no reason. It was no accident. Whoops I meant to punch your chest? Screw that He looked right at him and lined him up. Don’t care if it was a brain fade or whatever, this will have a big impact on brayshaw life and on his family.

I have also been to all of them. I have lost my mum to BC since the last Field of Women. I will be there on Sunday in her memory. I can only reiterate what an amazing feeling it is to be in the middle of the MCG in a sea of pink.

Should he fly to Afghanistan and clear the air with Will too? He’s the biggest brother of all. I get the need for Gaff to mend bridges with Andrew and why Hamish would want to facilitate it. I can see why Craig Gaff would reach out to Mark Brayshaw. I can’t see why anybody would involve Angus in any way. It has nothing whatsoever to do with him.

I was thinking he’s more Gunston-like... and I don’t mean Norman.

Beats the footy show by a country mile! Sam Pang is one of my favorite comedians going around.

perhaps a pre-recorded podcast that he could approve before broadcast might be possible. Oral history is so important.

Humble pie absolutely taken and I’m not sure I’d have been as restrained as this if I was gloating in your place, so good on you for that. Though to be fair the maths was spot on; the psychology way off!

We've scored 94 and 98 against Geelong, one of the best defensive sides in the league. 123 against North who only conceded 100 twice in their first 14 games (the other being to Port Adelaide) and who didn't concede more than 70 against anyone else in their first five games (which included a game against Hawthorn). 90 against Adelaide, in Adelaide. Other sides to score 90+ there against Adelaide? Collingwood, GWS, Geelong and Port Adelaide. We've scored over 90 in every game this year except Hawthorn, Richmond and Port Adelaide. And every side gets to play Carlton, GC, St Kilda and the Dogs. Some get to play them twice, like us. Yes, we've had probaly one or two more games against those sides than most of our competitors (not North). But we're regularly putting up high scores, and others aren't. And Sydney lost to GC, GWS drew with St Kilda, Geelong lost to the Dogs. If Geelong beats Hawthorn, then Hawthorn has to beat Sydney to get to 14 wins. If they don't, they finish on 13 which is what we'd finish on with one win, and no one's catching our percentage. It's been canvassed in earlier posts, but quite a few things have to occur for us to miss on 13 wins with our percentage, and I wouldn't call it probable.

Good get. What is also highly possible, is that we could beat Swans and still not have beaten anyone in the 8 as of the end of this round.

That 4th 6 day break in a row with travel to WC royally screwed us. The boys had nothing left and I honestly believe it was the beginning of the end for us last year. Given the way they manufacture the fixture to give other teams armchair rides, to give us such a BS draw was a disgrace. This year should be different, we're missing some key players but the ones that are available are showing good form. I'm feeling good about this week.

these two jerks?

and don't forget the the $70k for wattsy

Green was a very good player if he is better then he will became a superstar, a big call

Versatility is a strong theme across the team with Goody. Being able to swing players around e.g. Hogan. Clarry. Pedo. TMAC. It's a credit to the kid the way he's adapted to this versatility.

From memory, this punch didn't even result in a free kick, with the umpire looking in the general direction. Play on. They've lost control of the game. I grew up in a rugby league state, and I can recall in my teens any tackle that went near the head was penalised. Now they get away with it and everyone is so desensitized that commentators and spectators alike complain about penalties that are clearly high, and clearly intentional. AFL is slowly going the same way with all kinds of illegal play going un-penalised. When one is paid out comes the 'tiggy touchwood' line. The 'Gaff defense' is a perfect example of where things have gone wrong. I punched him in the guts not long ago and got away with it so I thought I'd have another crack. I guess he broke the tag in the end so achieved the desired result. Now that's not to say Brayshaw is totally innocent here. He was holding, and blocking Gaff's run outside the laws of the game (5 metres) and should've been pinged in the first place, which would've prevented all of this 100%. In my opinion most taggers are breaking the laws of the game constantly, even ours.

The Band. Truly one the great bands. In terms of synergy few come close - from that era perhaps only the Who and early Beatles

Fastest first 50 goals in history. This will be the 2nd best highlight of the week after 5.50pm sunday.

Mark Brayshaw’s interview brings some much needed perspective to the feeding frenzy. I wish he’d spoken sooner, but I’m sure he was careful not to minimise such an act prior to judgment. This incident has come to be about more than just Gaff & Brayshaw.

Good predictions but I don't agree on cats/hawks and we will know more after Saturday, but I see the Hawks as greatly underrated, and the opposite for the Cats. Both forms lines have plusses and minuses but Hawks have the defence, attack and midfield to beat the cats.

He reminds me of a young Brad Green the way he moves, a star in the making. Has courage in the air for his size too.

And this is why it’s always a good idea to not make assumptions and fly off the handle before the facts are presented.

I’m now leaning towards them getting Hunt into the team. I know he hasn’t played much footy since returning but I feel like his form drop was a confidence and application thing. His numbers over the weekend were good. If we can get his run off half back back into the side that could be a bit of x-factor.

4 changes to a team virtually unchanged for a month who just won by 16 goals. You have to be kidding

I somewhat agree. Viney's a brilliant player but we are so deep with inside mids that it shouldn't make or break this season. He is missed in last quarters when the game is on the line but we need others to learn to step up and lead as well. I'd rule a line through him for the season if there is any risk of re-injury. Make sure we have Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw, Petracca etc together for next year and the years after. These guys are aged 24, 21, 22 and 22 so we want to make sure they are at their peaks for the next 6-7 years. No point in risking ruining Viney's foot in my opinion. Max is only 26, Hogan and McDonald 23 and 25, Lever is 22 and so we have the backbone of a superteam. I'd love to snag a flag ala baby bombers, hawthorn (2008), bulldogs (2016) this year, but not that the expense of risking long term problems.

I would say it is more likely than not that you will need 14 wins to play finals. Key outcomes to require this: Geelong to beat Hawks - Highly likely on current form North to beat Adelaide away - probably most iffy result, but big chance Adelaide season already over when they play Port to win one of WC at home or Pies at G - Big chance given Gaff impact and Pies massive injuy list Hawks to beat Swans round 23 - if Sydney have nothing to play for likely, if they do, they probably beat us this week, which is not good! Amazing we could possibly be top 4 AFTER this round and still miss!

Just had a look at the odds for the flag and the bookies have us equal 2nd favourites... Win this weekend and we'll be more popular than jesus.

One week at a time and focus on ourselves, the rest will sort themselves out. Adelaide away was an important win (and probably underrated by many) but is it the “big win” to give us the confidence to push forward? Sydney can be that win for me, we haven’t had a happy hunting with them for quite a while and last year were given a ridiculously hard run before facing them last year. They haven’t faced us in prime nick for a long time. If we can knock them off then I place no limits on how far we can go. The players should have every reason to feel confident but we need to be the ones to bring manic pressure from the start.

Alright this is what everybody looks forward to my best 22. My prediction is a comfortable 6 goal win to the Dees. B: J.Wagner, Hutchins, Petty HB: McKenna, Keilty, Lockhart C : Hunt, Munro, Hannan HF: White, T.Smith, Kent F: Machaya, Weideman, Scott FOLL: King, Bugg, C.Wagner IC: Filipovic, Johnstone, Stockdale, Gent, Stephenson Pedersen senior emergency. Melksham to take Smith's place.

Sure if he was taking a swipe directly at his employer. Here is Campbell Brown's reply.

Just being a good scout and keeping an eye on the enemy. Staying two moves ahead. Feel free to come back next week to see all the intel I have gathered.

Untackable means you don't have the agility to move off your line. Untackelable means you can't be tackled. AVB was both highly untackable and thus highly tackelable.