The AFL Tribunal has handed an eight-week suspension to West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff for his strike on Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw at a hearing at AFL House in Melbourne on Tuesday evening.

The jury of Wayne Henwood, David Neitz and Shane Wakelin deliberated for 14 minutes and determined the eight-week suspension was appropriate for the incident, which occurred in the third quarter of Sunday’s Western Derby.

As a result of the suspension, Gaff will miss the rest of the home and away season, all of the 2018 AFL Finals Series and the start of the 2019 season.

The incident was initially assessed by match review officer Michael Christian on Monday as intentional conduct with severe impact to the head – which is the highest possible grading under the tribunal guidelines. 

As a result of the MRO’s grading, Gaff was automatically referred to the tribunal. 

Gaff travelled to Melbourne from Perth on Tuesday morning to appear at the tribunal in person.

Brayshaw underwent surgery on Sunday night to repair his broken jaw and three displaced lower teeth, which were put back into place and splinted. 

The 18-year-old has since been recovering at home, where he lives with teammate Lachie Neale and partner Julie.