Eagles veteran Andrew Gaff keen to extend AFL career

Andrew Gaff hopes to continue his long AFL career beyond this season, and hopefully with West Coast. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Out-of-contract West Coast wingman Andrew Gaff is adamant he has more good football left in him, and he hopes to earn a new deal at the Eagles.

Gaff's AFL future looked bleak when he tallied just four disposals against Port Adelaide in round one before being subbed off early in the third quarter.

It led many to wonder whether the speed of the game had gone past Gaff, who was forced to spend the next 10 weeks in the WAFL before earning a senior recall for last week's 14-point loss to St Kilda.

The 277-game veteran didn't disappoint against the Saints, kicking an early goal before finishing the match with 21 disposals and 389m gained.

Gaff turns 32 this month, but the unrestricted free agent hopes the performance against St Kilda will mark the beginning of a late-career resurgence.

"I feel like I've still got some really good footy ahead," Gaff told AAP.

"I'm really confident in my body probably for the first time in a little while.

"As an older guy, you've obviously got to watch yourself a bit during the week and you do have a few more niggles than your Campbell Chessers or your Reuben Ginbeys.

"I remember when I was 19, 20, and you just feel awesome every single week, every single training session, every single game.

"It's not always like that as a guy that's about to turn 32. But my body feels really good."

When asked if he would like to play with West Coast beyond this season, Gaff replied: "I'd love to."

"But nothing has been spoken about. It's more been me putting my head down and focusing on contributing."

Gaff has always been renowned as an elite runner who could power along all day.

But with the AFL now more explosive than ever, questions remain about whether he can keep up with the speed of the game.

Andrew Gaff.
A dejected Andrew Gaff after a loss during the 2023 season which yielded only three wins.

Gaff is confident he has what it takes to adapt, and says he never lost confidence in himself.

"Sometimes on the wing you're a little bit reliant on what's happening around the ground a bit," Gaff said.

"I've always had strong belief in myself and it's why I feel like I've been a decent player for a while now.

"You've got to keep adapting and changing. There's no secret about that. I've had a few focuses for the past eight to 10 weeks and I felt I've implemented them reasonably well.

"So much of it (the changes) is just reaction speed, and when you're really confident you just do that naturally.

"We're only human. You do go up and down with waves of form and confidence.

"But I'm happy with the work I've done and the strength I've shown."

West Coast will be without the suspended Harley Reid for Saturday's home clash with North Melbourne, but Jake Waterman (shoulder) and Tim Kelly (hip) are expected to return. 

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