ANDREW Gaff's moment of madness will be punished by the AFL Tribunal, his season could be over and West Coast's flag aspirations hang in the balance.
However, Gaff's shocking blow to Fremantle youngster Andrew Brayshaw's jaw has had ramifications far beyond the Eagles' current campaign – and the fallout is set to continue for some time yet.
In the aftermath, debate has raged about a send-off rule in the AFL and there have been calls for criminal charges to be considered.
Under-siege West Coast is facing questions about cultural issues after a forgettable series of events, including Liam Ryan's car crash and integrity officer Peter Staples' manhandling of cameramen at Perth Airport.
Amid widespread outrage – plenty of it fair, but some bordering on hysterical – Gaff's punch has also inflamed already strained relations between the Eagles and Dockers.
FACING THE MUSIC Gaff touches down in Melbourne
Enmity between the bitter rivals has reached the lowest point since the unsavoury Des Headland and Adam Selwood sledging scandal in 2007.
Gaff's brutal hit won't be forgotten, regardless whether his intention was, as coach Adam Simpson stated, to make contact with Brayshaw's chest.
The 49th Western Derby early next season it likely to be a powder keg waiting to explode, especially if Gaff re-signs with the Eagles.
Who knows how this incident will influence the in-demand restricted free agent's thinking?
Maybe he will want out and seek a fresh start back in Victoria. If he was already leaning that way, given massive offers on the table and the lure of home, this scandal could be the final push for him to go.
It would be an awful way to end his career in the west.
SIMPSON'S VIEW Gaff hit 'went horribly wrong'
But if Gaff was genuinely torn about his future – and most signs have pointed in this direction - could he now walk away from West Coast if Sunday's dramatic Derby was his last game for the club?
That will play out in due course, but at the moment, the main concern is obviously Brayshaw's wellbeing after his sickening injuries.
No player, let alone an 18-year-old in his 17th game, should be subject to such a violent act, and the entire football world wishes him a speedy recovery.
Gaff's remorse was undoubted and he has been left shattered by an inexplicable moment in a previously faultless 174-game career.
The mild-mannered Eagle is the last player you would have expected to lash out, with even Dockers coach Ross Lyon speaking glowingly of his nature during the unusually low-key build-up to the derby.
But Gaff will have to live with the consequences of his uncharacteristic act and it will take time to repair his tarnished reputation.
He has flown to Melbourne to face the music in person on Tuesday evening, with many expecting the starting point for his suspension will be a six-week ban.
It might easily be more.
Melbourne forward Tom Bugg's similar left hook on Sydney defender Callum Mills last year was deemed high impact and earned him a six-week spell on the sidelines.
Gaff's actions were judged to be severe and the book could be thrown at him due to Brayshaw's horrific and graphic injuries.
If a sanction of seven weeks or more is handed down then Gaff's season is officially over.
If he cops six, he could play in a Grand Final if the Eagles lost a qualifying final and still made it through to the decider.
RED CARDS? Gaff hit shows need for send-offs, Lethal says
Although West Coast sits in second position on the ladder, there are growing doubts about the Eagles' chances of mounting a serious flag challenge.
Losing an accumulator of possessions such as Gaff, who averages 30.7 disposals, might not seem like a seismic event compared to star ruckman Nic Naitanui's second ruptured ACL, however it is a massive blow.
When Naitanui went down, the onus was on the midfield to get the job done at ground level and now even more responsibility will fall on Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo and Jack Redden's shoulders.
After a rollercoaster year, Dom Sheed seems set for another recall and can help cover for Gaff's beefed up inside presence, while Brendon Ah Chee will also be eyeing more opportunity.
But Gaff's running power and precision-kicking will be harder to replace.
The 26-year-old has played 169 of a possible 170 games since becoming a West Coast regular in 2012 and is vital to the Eagles' ball movement.
Lewis Jetta is the obvious candidate to be pushed onto a wing, but the Eagles will be loath to permanently move the former Swan, who has found his best West Coast form after switching to half-back.
Liam Duggan was drafted as a midfielder and the fourth-year backman has the tank to cover a similar amount of territory to Gaff, if not his elite ball use and football smarts just yet.
With Brad Sheppard and Tom Cole excelling in shutdown roles, and Jetta settled as a pivotal distributor, this could be Duggan's time to shine up the ground.
No matter what they decide, replacing Gaff will be a headache for West Coast's brains trust, in particular Sam Mitchell in his first season as full-time midfield coach.
It could be an insurmountable task to keep the engine room firing without Naitanui and Gaff.
But if Mitchell can find a way and the Eagles clinch their fourth premiership, he would leave a lasting legacy in the west before moving back to Victoria at season's end.
