ADAM Simpson has appealed to West Coast and Fremantle supporters to just let Andrew Gaff and Andrew Brayshaw play ahead of the first Western Derby since last year's unforgettable encounter.
Gaff and Brayshaw have both spoken of their desire to move on from last year's shocking incident, which left the young Docker with a broken jaw and ultimately cost Gaff a premiership medallion.
The midfielders publicly reconciled when they shook hands before the clubs' JLT Community Series meeting last month, and Simpson hoped fans can leave the incident in the past.
FANTASY FORM WATCH Pig, rage trades and your questions
"The way they've (Gaff and Brayshaw) handled it, the way both clubs have handled it, I think we're ready to move on," the West Coast coach said.
"Whether our supporters are ready, that will be interesting, but I think both clubs have moved on and handled it pretty well.
"(The message to supporters is) just let them play.
"We know that our Andrew was in the wrong, he's paid his dues, now we get on with playing footy.
"I think that's the way he wants to handle it."
WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor
Fremantle mentor Ross Lyon backed Simpson's comments.
"We can all try to reprise it (but there is) no reward for looking back," he said.
"Both fine young men, one has become a great player, and the other one is trying to become a great player.
"It's all dead and buried.
"The only thing that counts is the first bounce and the next moment."
Gaff made a superb comeback from his eight-game ban in the Eagles' 22-point victory in the Grand Final rematch, racking up 35 touches in a best-afield effort against Collingwood.
The endurance king was booed by some Pies fans and it remains to be seen how Fremantle supporters respond to Gaff during Western Derby No.49 – an Eagles home game.
"They (Collingwood supporters) were booing Dom Sheed as well," Simpson said.
"The booing, the boys are pretty resilient, that comes and goes. By the time he had his 35th possession they stopped."
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
Lyon, who expressed his admiration for Eagles tagger Mark Hutchings, didn't rule out sending one of his players, potentially Brayshaw, to shut down Gaff, who he labelled a "sublime talent".
"I just think whoever plays on anyone, I don't think it's got any ramification or any link to the past," Lyon said.
"They're both ball hunters, so I don't know, they could end up on each other.
"I don't think there's anything going on here. It was an unfortunate incident, and surely they'll all get remembered for other things."
Find In the Game on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify
Simpson expected young defender Liam Duggan to put his hand up to return after a slight medial strain kept him out of the Grand Final rematch.
Duggan trained on Tuesday at Subiaco Oval and is likely to be a straight swap for debutant Josh Rotham.
The Eagles have a short injury list and Nic Naitanui is edging closer to his comeback, with Simpson set to map out a return to play plan for the star ruckman with club medicos in the next two weeks.
