Star Eagle Andrew Gaff is a Brownlow Medal polling machine, so why don’t the bookies rate him?

HE is being chased by at least five rival clubs and is set for a huge pay rise in 2019. But if Andrew Gaff is thinking of signing a new deal before the Brownlow Medal, he has one massive reason to hold off.

Andrew Gaff could win the Brownlow Medal. Picture: Getty Images

ANDREW Gaff is the silent assassin in the AFL’s most high octane side.

For all the talk about defensive pressure and low scoring, watching a West Coast game is reminder about how exhilarating footy can be.

There’s the Nic Naitanui wrecking ball. The aerial showstopper Jeremy McGovern.

West Coast’s Batman and Robin — Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling.

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While footy’s TV ratings slump, the Eagles are clearly a must-watch side.

Especially when “flyin” Liam Ryan rejoins the mix after literally vaulting into our consciousness in Round 2.

And then there is the death-by-a-thousand-cuts midfield machine, Gaff.

Strangely enough, the man who conducts probably the most low-key interviews in the game is in one of the most intriguing position of the league’s 800-odd players.

Andrew Gaff is having a brilliant season for the Eagles. Picture: AAP Images

The star wingman is being sought by five Victorian clubs, led by Melbourne, but would be mad to re-sign at West Coast in the short term as his contract value soars.

Gaff has to be the best Brownlow Medal bet in the game, listed at $26 with the TAB before Round 11.

And he has a red-hot polling record against St Kilda, Saturday’s opponent at Perth Stadium.

Gaff has polled votes in three of his past four matches against the Saints, racking up 30, 36, 36 and 36 disposals.

But bookmakers still somehow have Gaff down on the 10th line of betting after a best-on-ground performance against Hawthorn last weekend.

“Hello, McFly?”

Of course, Dustin Martin ($5.50) could wake from his mini-slumber and Nat Fyfe ($3.50) is the deserved favourite at this stage with the TAB.

But Champion Data knows Gaff is much more than just a neat-kicking accumulator.

The AFL’s official statistician has the 2010 No. 4 draft pick the leader after 10 rounds ahead of Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell and Western Bulldogs star Jack Macrae.

And here’s why Gaff, entering his prime at age 25, is the man.

He is ball magnet, racking up the eighth-most disposals in the league (30 possessions a game on average), including a heap more contested possession this season.

The Oakleigh product is a known poller. In 2015-16, Gaff racked up a whopping 38 votes. He led West Coast for votes in both of those seasons, and finished fifth overall in 2016.

Finally, the Eagles are flying, winning the past nine-straight games, and who will steal his votes?

Gaff’s red-hot teammates in McGovern (three votes last year) and Darling (two) have struggled to catch the umpires’ eyes, and gunslinger Kennedy is still warming up this season.

Which leaves Naitanui and the slight knock that he only plays somewhere about 60 per cent game time every week.

Yeo has never polled more than five votes in a season.

Luke Shuey’s best is 12 votes and he has missed the past three games out injured, while Gaff has gone for 32, 24 and 35 touches.

Which is why Gaff stands out like a sore thumb, and the Demons, Saints, Blues and Kangaroos are all-in for the restricted free agent.

Andrew Gaff celebrates a goal for the Eagles. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Essendon is also circling but would love an inside beast like Port’s Ollie Wines or even Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw instead.

St Kilda, which is expected to go bananas in this year’s exchange period as part of an all-out list shake-up, will get a close-up look at Gaff’s extreme work rate and smart decision making tonight.

Saints’ great Leigh Montagna said Gaff would be “a perfect fit” for Alan Richardson’s men.

The offer from West Coast is about $750,000 a season, but if a Brownlow beckons, his price could go through the roof.

GAFF-ER TAPE

Why Andrew Gaff can cause a Brownlow Medal upset.

— Known poller (38 votes in 2015-16)

— Ball magnet (averaging 30 disposals per game)

— West Coast wins (top of ladder)

CHASING CHARLIE

Champion Data’s Brownlow Medal predictor after 10 rounds.

Andrew Gaff (WC) 13.2

Tom Mitchell (Haw) 11.8

Jack Macrae (W Dogs) 11.7

Nat Fyfe (Frem) 11.7

Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) Cats 10.9

Dustin Martin (Rich) 10.6

Trent Cotchin (Rich) 9.7

Rory Laird (Adel) 8.5

Josh Kennedy (Syd) 8.1

Max Gawn (Melb) 8.0

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