West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff has rejected North Melbourne's lucrative contract offer and will remain with the Eagles.
Gaff, who missed the Eagles' premiership win through suspension, has flown to Melbourne and on Sunday told North Melbourne football chief Cameron Joyce he had decided to remain with West Coast.
Andrew Gaff is staying with West Coast.Credit:AAP
He told North before informing the Eagles or his parents of his decision to stay in Perth, where he will sign a new five- or six-year deal.
Gaff had agonised long and hard over the decision and was very close to moving. His relationship with Cameron Joyce dates back to when they were both at the Oakleigh Chargers and Joyce was fundamental to North being the club that Gaff would have gone to had he finally resolved to come home.
The eight-week suspension for striking Andrew Brayshaw that saw Gaff miss the finals was understood to have been an influence in Gaff believing he should remain with the Eagles and repay them and confront adversity.
The decision is a blow to North, who were hoping to land a double recruiting boom with Port Adelaide's Jared Polec accepting a big money offer from the Roos and asking the Power to trade him.
While Gaff was very close to joining North Melbourne – they had beaten a host of other Victorian clubs to be his top choice – the end result is that he joins a long list of players who have turned down significant contract offers to join the Roos in recent years.
North made a big play for Jordan De Goey earlier this year and Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly last year. All recomitted to their current clubs but North are expected to make another big push for Kelly at the end of next year when he comes out of contract again.
Others including Jeremy Howe, Isaac Heeney, Hamish Hartlett and Adam Treloar all seriously considered moves to North but for various reasons chose not to join the Roos.
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