277-game veteran Eagle Andrew Gaff believes there is still plenty of footy left in his AFL career, despite many speculating in recent years that the game had gone past him.
Gaff turns 32 in less than two weeks and, despite being out-of-contract in 2024, believes he has what it takes to fulfill another contract, preferably with the West Coast Eagles,ย but not exclusively.
โI feel like I've still got some really good footy ahead,โ Gaff told AAP.
โI'm really confident in my body probably for the first time in a little while."
Taken with pick four back in the 2010 National Draft, Gaff is well past the days of thriving through the season with a young body, but believes he is still capable of handling the rigours of footy in his later years.
โAs an older guy, you've obviously got to watch yourself a bit during the week and you do have a few more niggles than your Campbell Chessers or your Reuben Ginbeys," he added.
โI remember when I was 19, 20, and you just feel awesome every single week, every single training session, every single game.
โIt's not always like that as a guy that's about to turn 32. But my body feels really good.โ
Much of his illustrious career has been spent on the outskirts of the field rather than at the coalface.
While his quickness and speed may not be at the level of some elite wingers of the competition, Gaff is focussed on showcasing the skills he does have while shifting his game to the modern style.
"I've always had strong belief in myself and it's why I feel like I've been a decent player for a while now," Gaff said.ย
"You've got to keep adapting and changing. There's no secret about that. I've had a few focuses for the past eight to 10 weeks and I felt I've implemented them reasonably well.
"So much of it (the changes) is just reaction speed, and when you're really confident you just do that naturally.
"We're only human. You do go up and down with waves of form and confidence.
"But I'm happy with the work I've done and the strength I've shown."
Many hold the view that Gaff is too slow to thrive in the modern game, quickly forgetting how prolific he was in his prime, averaging more than 29 disposals for a five-year stretch from 2015 to 2019.
His best season came with a bittersweet twist in 2018, when he averaged nearly 31 disposals and kicked 12 goals from 19 games, earning the second of his two All-Australian nods.
He was infamously forced to miss out on West Coast's illustrious premiership that year after a left hook connected with Docker Andrew Brayshaw's mouth and cost him eight weeks late in the season.
Should he wish to keep his hopes for a premiership medallion alive, an off-season move to another club may be the preferred option, given the Eagles' status in the current AFL landscape.
In search for a fresh contract at season's end, clubs will have an eye on the former All-Australian, whether to add some veteran experience to a young group on the rise, or to add ball-use and forward 50 connection to a contender crying out for some.
