AFL star Andrew Gaff cops eight-game suspension for brutal punch

The AFL Tribunal has slapped West Coast star Andrew Gaff with an eight-game ban for punching Dockers player Andrew Brayshaw.

West Coast's Andrew Gaff has received an eight-game ban for his punch on Andrew Brayshaw. (AAP)

West Coast star Andrew Gaff will miss the rest of the season after he was slapped with an eight-match ban by the AFL Tribunal for breaking young Fremantle midfielder Andrew Brayshaw's jaw.

David Grace QC, representing the Eagles, entered a guilty plea early in the two-hour hearing then went about presenting a case for leniency that included a long list of character references and a contrite Gaff giving evidence that he didn't mean to hit Brayshaw in the head.

But the jury of Wayne Henwood, David Neitz and Shane Wakelin handed down the lengthy suspension after only 13 minutes of deliberation.

Andrew Brayshaw was left with a broken jaw from contact with Andrew Gaff. Source: Getty

Gaff's punishment is more severe than Barry Hall's seven-week ban for a punch on Brent Staker in 2008.