WEST Coast's reigning best and fairest Andrew Gaff says he would love to be an Eagle for life.
Gaff comes out of contract at the end of this season after signing a two-year extension in 2014, and his management and the club are already in negotiations on his next contract.
The 23-year-old is coming off his best season after winning the best and fairest and being named All Australian for the first time.
He was the Eagles' best player in the Grand Final loss to Hawthorn. His durability has also been a feature of his short career, playing 104 consecutive games - the most of any active player in the AFL.
Gaff said he wanted to remain at the club long-term but had left his contract negotiations in the hands of his manager, Paul Connors.
"It would be great (to be a one-club player),” Gaff said.
"The club has been fantastic to me, I've loved it ever since I came here five or six years ago. We've got a great bunch of guys at the moment and a great list. You can see the build of the team each year with so many young guys coming through. I love it here.
"I'm just focusing on getting my body right and my footy fitness right before round one. (The contract) will work itself out in the weeks to come."
Gaff was impressive in the Eagles' NAB Challenge win over Gold Coast on Thursday night. He gathered a game-high 30 disposals in the Eagles' scrappy three-point win.
The win came at a cost with high-profile recruit Lewis Jetta injuring his calf in the second quarter.
Gaff said the Eagles were hoping for good news from the scan.
"He had good first quarter yesterday," Gaff said.
"It was disappointing to see him go down, he's someone that we need up and going. We like his speed and he can kick it a long way as well."
The Eagles' midfield depth is being tested at the moment. Chris Masten (ankle) is unavailable for the early part of the season while Jack Redden (adductor) and Dom Sheed (knee) are touch and go for round one. Luke Shuey and Mark Hutchings were rested on Thursday and Jetta's injury will only stretch the Eagles further.
But Gaff said the players had spoken about handling personnel issues having suffered major injury woes in the backline early last season.
"We're a little bit thin at the moment," Gaff said.
"But it goes in waves a bit. We talked about it last year with how the backline was a little bit thin and how well they performed. We'll hopefully get a few back next week.
“It's one of those things. We've dealt with issues to our personnel before and we've got guys ready to step up who we know will do a good job."
Shuey, Hutchings and Sharrod Wellingham are all expected to be available for the Eagles' final NAB Challenge match against Essendon.
Gaff's great goal #AFLEaglesCrows http://t.co/c1FPJBNb8P
— AFL (@AFL) July 11, 2015