West Coast has opted to drop Andrew Gaff for this weekend’s clash with GWS.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson confirmed the news on Channel 7 Perth on Monday night after Gaff’s quiet performance in the club’s season-opening loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday.
Two-time All-Australian Gaff picked up just four disposals before he was subbed out of the game in the third quarter and as a result will play in the Eagles’ WAFL side in a practice match against Subiaco this weekend.
It comes after averaging career-lows stat wise in 2023, barring his debut season back in 2011.
West Coast’s GM of footy Gavin Bell insists there has been no line placed through Gaff while further outlining the reasons why the 276-game veteran has been axed from the senior side.
“‘Gaffy’ has been an absolute warrior for our footy club in over 270 games,” Bell said on SEN WA Mornings.
“On the weekend he wasn’t up to his normal sort of standards and now with 12 guys having played in our WAFL team last weekend and having played pretty well, we’ve got an opportunity to reward some of those guys.
“It gives Gaffy the opportunity to go back and find some form. We’ll support him, there’s certainly no line through Gaffy. It’s just ‘get back mate, get some touch, get your confidence up again’ and away we go.
“It’s a situation we haven’t been able to do in the past, but as we go forward now with the players we have available in the WAFL, we certainly can make some changes needed.”
Gaff has a made name for himself on the wing over the course of his 14-year AFL career but his role in the WAFL side is not yet clear.
Bell insists that the 31-year-old won’t necessarily play his usual position as to not upset the development of the club’s emerging wingers including Harvey Johnston.
“We need to work out the best place to put Gaffy so he can get his form and his touch and everything up and going,” Bell added.
“At the same time without compromising our kids as well. So whether that’s a wing, whether that’s on-ball, high half-forward, half-back, we haven’t gone into that detail, but we’ll certainly be flexible.
“It’s a practice game against Subiaco so whatever we need to do to help the team, help Gaffy and make sure our kids keep developing as well.”
The decision came not long after SEN’s Kane Cornes questioned Gaff’s place in the team.
He believes the former No.4 draft pick has been gifted too many games in recent years while the Eagles went through personnel issues.
“Why is Andrew Gaff still playing?” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast on Monday morning.
“He’s washed up and he’s had more free games given to him than any other player in (recent) history.
“There needs to be some selection integrity, regardless of where you’re at as a footy club. They’ve had a full off-season to replenish the list and find some players.
“I know he’s on a lot of money but let’s not pick players who don’t deserve to be picked.”
The Eagles will be in search of their first win of 2024 when they host the undefeated, second-placed Giants at Optus Stadium on Sunday night to wrap up Round 2.