West Coast veteran Andrew Gaff has been lauded as a courageous player who runs all day ahead of the wingman's 280th and final AFL match against Carlton.
The injury-ravaged Blues (12-9) enter Sunday's clash fighting for their finals survival after losing five of their past six matches.
In contrast, the contest represents another free hit for the rebuilding Eagles, who are aiming to snare three wins in a row for the first time since rounds 7-9, 2021.
The fact it's Gaff's farewell match will be extra motivation for a rejuvenated West Coast outfit, who came from 35 points down to snatch a dramatic five-point win over North Melbourne last week.
Gaff was the sub against the Kangaroos, but he made a huge impact when he came onto the field.
The 32-year-old ended the match with nine disposals despite playing just a little more than a quarter of football.
His running mark with the flight of the ball in the dying stages of the match - which eventually led to the match-winning goal to Oscar Allen - was the ultimate highlight.
"When we put together our highlight package of trademark behaviours, he was right there," interim West Coast coach Jarrad Schofield said.
"I've spoken before about his courage as a footballer, and courage can be measured in different ways.Â
"The courage that he's shown over his career to run at a high level consistently and average 25 positions a game over 279 games is a great achievement.
"But that courage of going back with the flight of the ball - that's why I think sometimes we underestimate Andrew Gaff in the position he plays on the wing.
"(That mark) just typified the type of footballer he is and why he's played so long in the AFL."
Sunday's match will also mark the 250-game milestone of West Coast forward Jamie Cripps, who notched 16 matches for St Kilda before moving to the Eagles at the end of 2012.
Cripps' cousin - Carlton skipper Patrick - will be hoping to rain on the parade.
The Blues need a win to stay in the finals hunt, but their hopes were dealt a huge blow when six players were injured in last week's 74-point loss to Hawthorn.Â
Charlie Curnow (ankle), Harry McKay (quad), Jack Martin (hamstring), Adam Saad (hamstring), Lachie Fogarty (collarbone) and Jordan Boyd (adductor) were all ruled out.
They joined Tom De Koning (foot/lung), Adam Cerra (hamstring), Orazio Fantasia (calf) and Matt Cottrell (shoulder) on the sidelines.
Ashton Moir and Cooper Lord have been named for their AFL debuts against West Coast, while one-gamer Jaxon Binns has been recalled along with Lewis Young, Jack Carroll and Corey Durdin.
The Eagles recalled Jack Petruccelle and defender Harry Edwards.
