Adelaide forward Eddie Betts says punching is simply part and parcel of AFL football, as debate rages over how the league can eradicate the act.
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“Nah, they shouldn’t be,” Betts said on FIVEaa when asked about if punches should be removed from the competition.
“That’s part of footy. It puts them (the opponent) off their game.
“As long as you don’t hit them in the head, and (Andrew) Gaff, obviously, wasn’t trying to hit (Andrew) Brayshaw in the head.
“It’s part of the game and that’s what defenders do.
“They give them little cheap punches in the back and it kind of makes you think where the punches are coming from and at the next contest you have to worry about the guy punching you again.
“I think that’s the backman’s job, trying to put you off your game.
“There are a lot of things that aren’t in the rules.
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“People step on your toes. I used to play on (Steven) Baker from St Kilda and he used to punch me on the back of my elbow, on my funny bone, and my arm used to stiffen up.
“He kept hitting you and whacking you to put you off your game.
“I think it’s part of the game.”
West Coast star Gaff has been hit with an eight-game ban for his punch on Dockers youngster Brayshaw in last weekend’s derby.