WEST Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff is set to turn his back on rival Victorian clubs and trigger a four-year contract extension to remain an Eagle.
Gaff penned a two-year deal at the end of 2018 when he was last a free agent that came with the option of four more seasons until the end of 2024.
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AFL.com.au understands it's only a matter of time before the 27-year-old informs the Eagles he is staying long-term beyond 2020.
The specifics of the four-year trigger were set when Gaff agreed to the two-year deal and the extension doesn't need to be renegotiated with the Eagles.
It is believed the total six-year deal is valued at just under $1million per season.
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Coach Adam Simpson said the club wouldn't push their star wingman for an answer.
"Gaffy's pretty patient, he's never in a rush," Simpson told AFL.com.au this week.
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"Last time it took until the day before the B&F, after the Grand Final, we're patient on Andrew, we'll put him under no pressure.
"He sacrificed a lot to stay with us and he's part of our leadership group and part of our fabric, we love him. Whatever time he needs, it's all good."
The four-year extension would take Gaff until the age of 32.
The Victorian has played 197 games for the Eagles and five more seasons would have him in the frame to surpass 300 matches.
Teammate Shannon Hurn (269 games) is on track to break Dean Cox's (290) games record for the Eagles this season.
North Melbourne's seven-year offer was the strongest lure for Gaff returning home at the end of 2018 before he opted to remain an Eagle.
St Kilda was among a host of other clubs to enquire for his services.
However, the Roos' acquisition of fellow wingman Jared Polec has changed their immediate needs, while St Kilda has since landed Bradley Hill, Zak Jones and Dan Hannebery via trades.
