IT HAS been a long eight months out of football for Andrew Gaff, and the star West Coast midfielder can't wait to put the most difficult period of his life behind him when he returns against Collingwood in Saturday night's blockbuster.

Gaff's eight-game ban for his round 20 strike on Fremantle youngster Andrew Brayshaw has concluded, and the hard-running Eagle is set to return in the Grand Final rematch.

It will be Gaff's first visit to the MCG since he was overcome with emotions as he watched his teammates clinch last year's premiership without him on a "bittersweet" day.

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"I'm just looking forward to getting on with it and playing with the boys again – I haven't been able to do that for a while, which has been tough," Gaff said.

"No doubt it's hard not to think about it. But that's the way it goes and all my doing.

"It's been really good this pre-season, just knuckling down, and it's been great to see the commitment with the guys who aren't just satisfied with how well they did on the last Saturday in September.

"They all came back really wanting to improve. That's given guys like myself, Nic Nat (Naitanui), Brad Sheppard, Brendon Ah Chee, all those guys that played a few games last year for us … a bit of added inspiration to really put our best foot forward coming back to season 2019."

Gaff's return will be his first appearance – not including AFLX and the JLT Community Series – since turning his back on free agency last year and a "pretty tempting" monster contract offer from North Melbourne.

The 26-year-old left it until after the John Worsfold Medal count in October to recommit to the Eagles, and admitted to sleepless nights agonising over his decision.

Gaff spent a month in Melbourne after his suspension after his father Paul underwent heart surgery, and considered his family situation before re-signing, with the call also partly influenced by wanting to face up to the tough period in the west.

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"Obviously if anything family-related pops up, I'll be back there straight away to help out a family member in need," Gaff said.

"But I've really enjoyed my football career to date at West Coast and looking forward to continuing that with hopefully even more success."

Gaff hasn't revealed how long he re-signed for, apart from declaring it a "long-term" deal, and he has aspirations to be a one-club player.

"That's one of the reasons I decided to stay," he said.

"It means a lot to me to play at West Coast and they put a lot of time and effort into me.

"Keen to repay the faith they've given me, and as we've seen over the years not too many people head back home from West Coast."

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After his comeback game, Gaff will confront Brayshaw again in the round four Western Derby.

The pair have met several times since the incident and shook hands in a public gesture of reconciliation before their clubs' pre-season clash in Mandurah, taking plenty of heat out of the situation.

"I wish I could take it back, what happened, but it's great to see he's played both games so far and seems to be playing really well, and had a great JLT series as well," Gaff said.

"It's great that he's fit and playing well and I hope he has a really good year."

Gaff might not be the only inclusion for the Eagles after their 52-point belting of Greater Western Sydney, with small forward Jamie Cripps pushing to return after a successful comeback from toe surgery in a WAFL practice match.

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Premiership defender Will Schofield could also be in the mix with Liam Duggan (knee) failing to train on Monday. 

Star spearhead Josh Kennedy took part in the light skills session at Subiaco Oval, a positive sign after his comeback from foot soreness, but Willie Rioli (foot) was missing.