Rory Sloane says Andrew Gaff’s hit on Andrew Brayshaw ‘isn’t a good look’ for AFL but rejects red cards
RORY Sloane says Andrew Gaff’s horror hit on Andrew Brayshaw “isn’t a good look” for the code, but red cards and subs aren’t the answer.
- Gaff’s strike a punch gone wrong
- The Phantom: The Cat top of list to replace Gaff
- Adelaide company looks to light up score reviews
- Flamin’ heck: Koch’s double barrel to AFL
- Jenkins has backtracked on goal comment: Roo
- Blight: Showdown deserves Friday night lights
RORY Sloane says red cards or bringing back subs aren’t the answer to dealing with Andrew Gaff’s horror hit on Andrew Brayshaw that “isn’t a good look” for the code.
Gaff will front the AFL judiciary on Tuesday night in Melbourne to explain a behind the play punch that hospitalised Fremantle rookie Brayshaw, 18, with a broken jaw on Sunday. Brayshaw is unable to eat solids for a month and ruled out for the season.
If Gaff’s ban is restricted to six weeks he could play in the grand final should West Coast qualify.
Adelaide vice-captain Sloane says vicious acts like Gaff’s hit, 100 metres off the ball, are rare in AFL meaning immediate send-offs are not required while criminal charges should be the last option.
“It is very hard and it depends on the severity of it and this one is borderline,” said Sloane.
“It is not a good look for footy and you heard the remorse in Gaff’s voice after the game and you certainly feel for Brayshaw, a young man having a good season. He is done now for the year.
“The stuff you want a red card for, you are not seeing much of at the moment. There are two incidents this year you might have used a red card. The state of the game is very good and we are seeing less and less of these incidents.”
Sloane was happy the sub-rule was axed for the 2016 season as the game returned to four interchange players and rotations reduced to 90. The substitute was introduced in 2011 as the AFL attempted to curb the number of interchange rotations per game, which had jumped to 117.4 rotations per team per game in 2010.
“The sub rule was OK and certainly evened up the game if someone got injured or came off but it was also a bit of a pain in the arse as well as if no-one got injured you were sitting around for three quarters waiting to get your little moment,” Sloane told Triple M’s Roo and Ditts.
“As a player wanting to prove yourself it made it a bit tough. I am happy the sub rule is gone.”
Sloane said the verdict on the other controversial incident of round 20 — teammate Josh Jenkins decisive Showdown 45 goal — remained inconclusive. Sloane said no Crows players were convinced Jenkins’ goal should have been overturned for hitting the post.
“Josh said that (it did) on the night and it doesn’t mean to say it is right. Gillon McLachlan came out and said the way they reviewed the goal was inconclusive and had to be the umpires call in the end,” said Sloane.
“Who is to say that what Josh says is right.”
In a boost for Adelaide Sloane expects Mitch McGovern and Richard Douglas to return against GWS in Canberra on Saturday night in a match it must win to have any chance of making the finals.
“Both should be right to play and got very close last week but being a Showdown you can’t go in underdone,” Sloane said.
Sloane also backed key defender Daniel Talia to soldier through the pain of a cracked shin.
“He is a bit bruised at the moment but the thing about is Tals he will always get up and make sure he is right for us. He has been playing such a good role for us all year,” said Sloane of Talia.
“You do pull up a bit sorer after Showdowns but it is a great lead up if you are in the finals.”
Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >