ROSS Lyon has declared there are "no winners" after remorseful West Coast star Andrew Gaff copped an eight-game suspension at the Tribunal on Tuesday night.
The Fremantle coach also revealed he awarded Gaff four votes in the AFL Coaches' Association award in the aftermath of Sunday's dramatic Western Derby – meaning the Eagles onballer received none from his coach Adam Simpson.
SEASON OVER Gaff cops huge ban for Brayshaw hit
After breaking Andrew Brayshaw's jaw and displacing three teeth, Gaff has joined the young Dockers midfielder on the sidelines for the rest of the season, resolving one of the ugliest episodes in the cross-town rivals' history.
"There's no winners here. Both young men have been through an experience and difficult time that both clubs wish they hadn't been," Lyon told Channel Seven.
"It's as simple as that."
'STILL A HUMAN BEING' Port defender feels for Gaff
Brayshaw, 18, will return to Freo's headquarters on Wednesday after undergoing surgery but will soon head to Melbourne to recuperate.
"There's a significant time of not eating well and we'll fly him back to Melbourne with his mum," Lyon said.
"He'll stay there until he can come back and join in club activities.
"My feelings are for, clearly, Andrew, who is a fine young player for us and important part of our future and has been performing exceptionally well.
"Andrew Gaff I gave four votes to on the weekend, second-best on the ground, and he's a proven champion of the game.
"Unfortunately, he's had an incident he's been involved in and he's wearing those consequences.
"Clearly, both clubs will wrap enormous support around both young men and they'll return to play top-flight football next year."
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Lyon also dismissed the "cynical view" that Freo escaped criticism for a poor performance in the 58-point derby loss due to Gaff's brain fade.
The Dockers' seventh-straight derby failure was also their eighth defeat by at least 50 points this season.
"What we did was play a good team," Lyon said.
"We had plenty of opportunities and the feedback was if we use the ball better and play with more system … we'll improve this week (against Carlton)."
