Eagles confident Andrew Gaff will stay as a host of Victorian clubs increase the hunt for his services

WEST Coast star Andrew Gaff looms as a big beneficiary of Rory Sloane’s decision to recommit to Adelaide but the Eagles remain confident they can offer the star midfielder something Victorian clubs can’t.

Andrew Gaff might now be the best unsigned player going around. Pic: Getty Images

BROWNLOW Medal fancy Andrew Gaff looms as one of the big beneficiaries from Rory Sloane’s decision to commit to Adelaide for five seasons, as a host of Victorian clubs including North Melbourne, St Kilda and Melbourne throw everything into trying to entice him home.

West Coast remains confident the 26-year-old — who is now an $11 chance to win the Brownlow Medal — will sign a new deal, eager to chase premiership success.

But with Sloane now off the market, and with the AFL’s free agency midfield options narrowing, it means as many as five Victorian clubs could up the ante in their hunt for the Eagle.

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And with Sloane staying in Adelaide, does that mean Hawthorn might also join the list of potential suitors for the star midfielder, who is a native of Victoria?

That’s got to be good news for Gaff — regardless of whether he stays or leaves.

The Eagles know they cannot pay him what the Kangaroos, the Demons or the Saints, or potentially even Carlton, are capable of offering him.

Andrew Gaff might like being back in Melbourne. Pic: Getty Images

Some of those clubs could stretch their budget to around $1 million per season, while West Coast’s offer is believed to be in the vicinity of $800,000 to $850,000.

The added interest, and Gaff’s continued good form, means the Eagles could be forced to boost their own figure, however marginal, and potentially stretch out the contract to six seasons.

Gaff, who is playing the best football of his career after adding an inside element to his midfield game, has consistently said his preference was to stay with West Coast.

He loves where the club is at right now, where it is headed into the future, and is comfortable with the lifestyle in Perth.

But at what financial cost?

Staying will unquestionably cost him a lot of money, but how much?

A restricted free agent, Gaff looms as the best midfielder still in the frame.

Melbourne has always appeared the most likely option should Gaff decide the money on offer in Victoria is too good to refuse.

Andrew Gaff signals how much money he’ll be offered in coming weeks. Pic: Getty Images

Rory Sloane is off the market. Pic: Sarah Reed

The Demons, who last year beat several Victorian clubs to secure the out-of-contract Jake Lever, are known to have enough room to squeeze the Eagles midfielder into their salary cap.

St Kilda has plenty of room available, as does a cashed-up North Melbourne, and with both clubs missing out on newly re-signed Magpie Jordan De Goey, Gaff remains of strong interest.

The Kangaroos weren’t keen on Sloane given his age demographic didn’t suit their plans, but the Saints were, which means they are likely to increase their focus on Gaff.

But where would Gaff see the premiership windows of the Saints as compared to the Eagles, who are flag contenders now?

Carlton would love to have an elite player such as Gaff, but it is near impossible to think he would be prepared to sacrifice his premiership ambitions to start again at the bottom club, regardless of how much money was on offer.

Then, there is Hawthorn. Sloane was high on their radar, alongside Lynch, and while Gaff is a different type to the Adelaide star, you wouldn’t be surprised to see them switch focus, given they have the extra salary cap room next year and in 2020, given Cyril Rioli’s retirement.

Gaff’s manager Paul Connors has been on a short break, but you can expect his phone to be running as hot as his client’s playing form is right now.

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