ANGUS Brayshaw would be able to get over any underlying awkwardness with Andrew Gaff should the star Eagle decide to join the Demons as a free agent at the end of this season, co-captain Nathan Jones says.
Gaff will learn his fate at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night after an off-the-ball strike on Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw, Angus' younger brother, left the youngster with a broken jaw and three displaced teeth that had to be re-aligned during surgery.
Angus Brayshaw told AFL.com.au's AFL Exchange podcast he was shocked by the incident involving his younger brother.
But Jones said any tension between the pair would just as quickly be smoothed over should Gaff decide to come to the Victorian-based club.
Gaff is teammates with West Coast-listed Hamish Brayshaw, brother of Angus and Andrew.
"I wouldn't have thought [there would be any long-term issues]," Jones said when asked about the Gaff and Brayshaw relationship.
"Obviously there would be initially, but water would go under the bridge and guys would be able to mend and build relationships from that.
"It's quite an awkward situation given Hamish (Brayshaw) is quite good friends with Andrew (Gaff).
"It was an unfortunate incident and it's not one we want to see in the game and Andrew will be dealt with at the Tribunal and I think we all move forward."
Melbourne is among a host of clubs reportedly interested in snaring the restricted free agent, with Gaff still yet to re-commit to West Coast beyond this season.
Jones supports a send-off rule for violent incidents such as Gaff's hit, saying it would eliminate the possibility for retribution or square-ups.
Fremantle players physically targeted Gaff after his hit on Brayshaw, with veteran Michael Johnson fined for a bump that left the Eagle stunned.
"Using a red card system with an example that we saw on the weekend, which was quite severe, removes some of the tension that flows on from an incident like that," Jones said.
The Demons have a tough three-game stretch with a clash against Sydney at the MCG on Sunday set to have significant finals implications.
"I think about it all the time," Jones said of Melbourne's finals chances.
"I don't think you'd be human if you didn't think about the possibilities and dream about what kind of outcomes there are.
"There's a great opportunity here for this football club, but the season could not be closer and we're right in the thick of it. We've got to give ourselves the best chance by performing our best for the next three weeks."
Jones said forward Jake Melksham (hamstring) was no certainty to face the Swans, while Michael Hibberd (quad) should be right to go against West Coast in a fortnight's time.
"There's still a few hoops to jump through with 'Melky'. If we're being conservative, then probably not," Jones said.
"'Hibbo' was always looking towards the West Coast game. But both those two guys are pushing and we'll see them in the next couple of weeks, there's no doubt about that."
