West Coast Eagles confirm Andrew Gaff to stay on after Twitter gaffe
Andrew Gaff has re-signed with the West Coast Eagles after speculation the midfielder was being tempted with an eight-year, multimillion-dollar deal to join North Melbourne.
The 26-year-old had been torn between returning to Melbourne, where his father — who battled illness this year — is, and remaining with the AFL Premiers.
The announcement Gaff would remain with his team was bungled earlier on Sunday when the Eagles appeared to prematurely tweet confirmation of his signing.
The tweet, which was deleted soon after, said "He's an Eagle. A West Coast Eagle" with a picture of Gaff and the words "Gaff re-signs".
A similar tweet was posted later in the day as the confirmation was officially announced to the media.
Gaff has endured a tumultuous final two months of the AFL season, after punching Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw and receiving an eight week suspension and returning to Melbourne to be with his father.
Gaff produced a brilliant season before the infamous incident during the Western Derby in round 20, averaging more than 30 disposals a game, and kicking a career-high 12 goals.
The 175-gamer was clearly distraught with missing the Eagles' run to the Premiership, and was consoled by coach Adam Simpson and several West Coast players following the side's five-point win over Collingwood.
West Coast has had to deal with ongoing speculation around it's three free agents this season, with Jeremy McGovern committing to a lucrative five-year deal in July.
Then attention turned to ruckman Scott Lycett, whose signature became vital following injury to Nic Naitanui, who is unlikely to play until 2020 after suffering a second ACL injury.
The South Australian weighed up offers from the Eagles and Port Adelaide, before deciding to return home, joining the Power on a five-year deal worth a reported $3 million.
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ABC .net
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