West Coast Eagle AFL player gets an eight-week tribunal ban for brutal punch on opposition Fremantle player

Andrew Brayshaw left the field with a broken jaw. Photo / Getty

West Coast star Andrew Gaff has faced the music for his horrific moment on Sunday when he punched Fremantle youngster Andrew Brayshaw.

After a long tribunal hearing the ruling was finally handed down and Gaff was given an eight week suspension.

The ruling means his 2018 season is completely over and he'll likely miss weeks to start the 2019 AFL season.

Meanwhile, Brayshaw's father told Channel 7 that his family had no interest in seeing Gaff punished any further — instead offering his sympathy to the banned Eagle.

Speaking after the tribunal result, Mark Brayshaw said his interest was in the "two Andrews", not in any criminal action

"We hope (Andrew Gaff) can get through it, there has been nowhere to hide. I hope he can move forward quickly. My third son Hamish is going to put the two of them together quickly, I hope so they can shake hands and move on," Mr Brayshaw said.

"None of us have any interest whatsoever in anything other than what happened tonight. It is a rotten bit of luck — and personally I am absolutely convinced he meant to give him a good whack in the chest."

Brayshaw said his son was in good spirits, and praised the Dockers for their care for the player and his family in a tumultuous 48 hours.

Currently, the CEO of the AFL Coaches Association, Brayshaw said he also hoped Gaff could overcome what the Eagles midfielder said had been the worst 48 hours of his life.

"We hope and he hopes he has a long career and this is a speed hump – he is going to miss the last three games, but he is going to be ready for the start of next year," Mr Brayshaw said.

"Once we established his jaw wasn't too bad, our interest swung to the broader issue which was the reaction in Perth and the Gaff family, and Andrew in particular – if I could I would shake his hand … a double handshake to wish him well, and hope he can find his feet and move on."

Gaff emerged from the hearing and immediately addressed the awaiting media contingent.

"I'm so, so sorry to Andrew and the Brayshaw family and the pain I've caused them over the past 48 hours," Gaff said.

"I respect the Brayshaw boys so much and the way they go about it and I'm really disappointed. I own my actions and it really hurts a lot.

"The last 48 hours has probably been the toughest couple of days of my life. People that I've spoken to and people who have seen me throughout that time know the world of pain I'm in and how much I'm suffering.

"I see myself as a caring, gentle and measured person. I am disappointed in myself. I'm disappointed to let my teammates down in a crucial period of the season. I'm disappointed to have let our supporters down as well.

"For the time being I'm going to surround myself with friends and family and those who care for me most. But once again I apologise wholeheartedly to Andrew and I hope he gets better soon."