Andrew Gaff is weighing up his future with his decision believed to be a race in two
ESSENDON is not pursuing West Coast wingman Andrew Gaff, who will either stay in Perth or make a fresh start at North Melbourne, but the Bombers are eyeing a GWS youngster to add to their midfield.
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WEST Coast wingman Andrew Gaff will either stay in Perth or make a fresh start at North Melbourne next season.
Gaff, 26, is in Melbourne weighing up a decision on his playing future after receiving a mega long-term offer in the vicinity of $1.2 million a year from the Kangaroos.
The Eagles have offered Gaff about $850,000 a year, meaning the ball magnet will sacrifice as much as $2 million over the next six year of his career to stay at West Coast.
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But North Melbourne has emerged as the leading contender from Victoria.
Essendon is not pursuing Gaff, while Melbourne and St Kilda are not confident of landing the running machine.
The Oakleigh product’s signature would be a major coup for the Roos after missing out on Richmond’s Dustin Martin, Sydney jet Isaac Heeney and Collingwood’s Adam Treloar in recent years.
The Roos are also in the frame to poach Port Adelaide speedster Jared Polec in a bid to recharge the midfield for a finals spot next season.
It comes only two years after the club embarked on a large-scale rebuild under Brad Scott and footy boss Cameron Joyce.
Suspended for eight matches, Gaff faced searing scrutiny in Perth for striking Dockers’ youngster Andrew Brayshaw a fortnight ago, and is considering a return home to Melbourne.
Gaff’s decision has huge ramifications for the Eagles who are also a chance to lose free agent ruckman Scott Lycett to St Kilda or Port Adelaide.
The Bombers have plans to upgrade its engine room next year and have targeted Western Bulldogs free agent Mitch Wallis and Greater Western Sydney youngster Will Setterfield to add more quality ball winners.
Essendon is also in talks to extend the contract of 191cm hybrid midfielder Jayden Laverde.
Laverde, 22, has struggled with injury since he was taken pick No.20 in the 2014 draft and has attracted interest from rival clubs.
The 191cm Keilor product had 33 possessions in the VFL against Port Melbourne a fortnight ago, but a hamstring strain pulled the handbrake on a senior call-up.
He has played 29 games over the past four years and knocked back an offer to join St Kilda in 2016.
The Bombers want to keep Laverde and have plans to unleash him as part of a revamped midfield next season.
Discussions on a new deal between Essendon premiership list guru Adrian Dodoro and manager Robbie D’Orazio are ongoing.
John Worsfold’s men have been one of the best-performed sides in the competition over the past two months and will regain spearhead Joe Daniher to help jump into the top-four next year.
The Bulldogs have been unable to re-sign Wallis while Setterfield, from the Giants, could make the move to Melbourne after a horror injury run.
Setterfield was taken pick No.5 in the 2016 draft but played only two games before he went down with a knee injury.
Brisbane is also interested in Wallis and wants the ball magnet to partner veteran Luke Hodge next year in Queensland.
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