North wants me, Gaff confirms

WEST Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff has confirmed North Melbourne is “one of the clubs” that have expressed interest in him but says his focus for now is on helping the Eagles to a successful September and not on a new contract.

The 26-year-old has resumed training with West Coast the past two weeks after spending time in Melbourne following the eight-week suspension he received from the AFL Tribunal for his Round 20 hit on Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw.

Adding to the “difficult time”, Gaff’s father Paul spent time in hospital with a serious heart condition, but is now in rehabilitation and expected home in coming weeks.

Asked if he would be in Eagles colours again next year, Gaff said, “I hope so”, but added his focus was not on reaching a new contract agreement but instead helping his teammates achieve September success as they prepare for a preliminary final next week.

“It’s still something that we’re working through with the management and the club … which we’ll continue to do over the next few weeks,” Gaff said on Perth radio station Mix 94.5. “With the team playing finals that’s the priority and as I said to them when I got back to Perth, I’m so committed to what the boys have in front of them for the rest of the year. I’m focused on that and helping the midfield group where I can.”

Gaff said the incident with Brayshaw would not have a major bearing on whether he did decide to stay in Perth or return home to Melbourne. “I think it’s got to be an independent thing but obviously it’s the elephant in the room and something that’s going to come up.”