22 NEWS SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019 APOLOGY ACCEPTED . . . BUT HOW WILL THE FANS AND TEAMMATES FARE?

JOSH ZIMMERMAN

ONE Andrew lost three weeks of AFL football and the ability to chew for a month. The other, ultimately, a pre- miership medal. For all of the talk of forgive- ness and mended friendships, today’s first meeting between Fremantle and West Coast since the infamous events of August 5 last year represents Take that: Andrew Gaff hits Andrew the true test of whether either Brayshaw last year, breaking his jaw, far club has really consigned that right. Centre: Eagles coach Adam afternoon to the past. Simpson with Gaff after the game. But as they take to the field at Mandurah’s Rushton Park, A former AFL player and said. “My expectation is at least normalise any negative the brutal Andrew Gaff punch father to three sons currently one or two Dockers players will thoughts or emotions they that shattered Andrew playing in the competition — be keen to give Gaff an early re- may be feeling ahead of the Brayshaw’s jaw will inevitably including at both the Eagles minder they haven’t forgotten game. loom large in the minds of both and Dockers — Mr Brayshaw what happened. “As a general rule, the the players directly involved said the intense interest from “That said, I don’t think it amount of relevance given to and their teammates. the media and general public will degenerate into anything thoughts in sports is massively Put Mark Brayshaw, was at odds with the approach more than a bit of push and overrated,” he said. “One of the Andrew’s father, in the camp of the two Perth clubs. shove early in the game to primary reasons professional that believes the hatchet has “He and Gaff have shaken make a statement.” athletes are so good is the num- been buried. hands and an apology has been Fellow sports psychologist ber of hours they spend execut- He said his youngest son given and accepted. Andrew Gareth J. Mole, of Condor ing their skills compared to was “a tough little fellow” and seems to be in a good place and Performance, also predicted a normal people. there were no signs he was suf- for those reasons I think it will lack of fireworks. “That muscle memory isn’t fering from any lasting physical play out like any other game,” He said AFL clubs and affected because you are hav- or psychological effects — a said Mr Brayshaw, who is also players were far too profession- ing negative thoughts, only if belief borne out by the midfiel- the boss of the AFL Coaches al to repeat scenes like those you become hung up on them.” der collecting 25 disposals and Association. witnessed during the Demoli- Mr Hanks said the reported earning a place in the Dockers’ To gauge just how large the tion Derby in 2000. off-field conciliatory steps be- best in his first hit-out against derby incident will loom in “If a revenge kind of mind- tween Brayshaw and Gaff, and Collingwood last week. today’s game, Performance set was actually useful for per- the latter’s clear and genuine “We’ve taken a lot of com- Boost sports psychologist formance, why wouldn’t teams remorse for his actions, had fort from the way the Dockers Shayne Hanks recommends always try to create one — why likely taken a lot of the sting have taken care of him, he looking to the respective not pretend the player you are out of their on-field reunion. really has been in very good benches at the start of the marking said something abu- “Clubs nowadays can’t hands since the incident,” Mr game. sive about your girlfriend for afford to be thinking about Brayshaw said. “If either Gaff or Brayshaw instance?” Mr Mole said. last season,” he said. “I “His progression has starts on the bench that is prob- “It’s just not useful and don’t think any player involved all sorts of milestones ably a sign the coaching staff teams have recognised that.” from either side is enough and from his perspective I don’t want to let it become an Instead, Mr Mole said it of a loose cannon to do know he is treating (today’s) issue and would prefer to avoid would be useful for both Gaff something really silly and game just like any other.” the whole thing,” Mr Hanks and Brayshaw to accept and risk a suspension.”

OTHER NOTABLE Another notable comeback involving a West Coast Eagle was that of Ben Cousins — COMEBACKS twice. The Brownlow Medallist’s drug problem meant he was Wayne Carey’s fall from first banished from the grace after the discovery club in March 2007, of his affair with the wife spending four weeks in a of best friend and California rehab facility Kangaroos vice-captain before making a Anthony Stevens is well triumphant return to documented. After being AFL football against exiled by his teammates at Subiaco Oval Barry Hall around the world and and club, the double that July, inspiring his Perhaps the most famous resulted in a seven-game premiership winner spent side to victory with 38 punch captured by suspension for Hall. Staker all of 2002 out of football possessions. cameras on an AFL field is returned to the field two and there was speculation The next comeback the one thrown by weeks later against the he was done with the came for Richmond Sydney’s Barry Hall that — and game for good before he in Round 1 2009, felled Eagle was promptly reported in signed with Adelaide once dominant form, but after Cousins had in 2008. Staker missed the first quarter for ahead of the 2003 season. saved one of his best been just one game with a striking Bob Murphy. The An injury- plagued Carey performances for his first permanently concussion, but vision of defender was granted a never fully regained his clash with his former club, exiled by a the incident travelled