ANDREW Gaff has never been more damaging, and his sensational form couldn't have come at a better time for the in-demand restricted free agent.
With Melbourne clubs reportedly queueing up to lure Gaff home, his manager Paul Connors flew to Perth this week and met with West Coast.
There is no clear timeframe for Gaff to make a decision on his future, and the soon-to-be 26-year-old recently declared he was in no rush to put pen to paper.
The hard-running midfielder is one of West Coast's three big-name free agents, alongside Jeremy McGovern and Scott Lycett, and industry sources estimate Gaff's value within the $700-800K per year range.
However, rival interest could bump up the price.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson lightheartedly downplayed the 2015 club champion's form last week, given Gaff remains unsigned, but the Eagles star is a major contender to claim a second John Worsfold Medal.
He is averaging career-highs for disposals (30) and contested possessions (8.9), and is using the ball better than ever (77.9 per cent efficiency).
Since Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell retired, he's expanded his midfield role and won more clearances (3.8), but is also finding more footy in dangerous positions forward of centre.
Not only has Gaff booted seven goals – only four shy of his career-high in 2015 – but the classy left-footer ranks top 10 in the AFL for score involvements, adding more value to his touches.
"I've had games in previous years where I've probably had more of the ball and wasted a bit of it or (had) a bit of it in the back half," Gaff told AFL.com.au.
"You take what happens in a game. You don't try for certain things to happen, you just evolve but I think I'm having more impact with my touches at the moment."
In weighing up his future, Gaff will ponder his chances of premiership success.
He is among the Eagles' senior core, who fell short in the 2015 Grand Final, driving this year's squad to a 10-1 start and towards the prospect of a shock flag tilt.
While West Coast is in prime position to secure a top-two berth, and the guarantee of two finals at new fortress Optus Stadium, Gaff insisted the Eagles are only focused on what they can control.
"We just try to win every game. We've put ourselves in a really good spot," he said.
"We have that belief we can win every game we play.
"If we can do what we've done in the first half of the year we'll be right up there by the end of round 23."
After the bye, West Coast has a rare trip to face Sydney at the SCG – where it has played once in eight years and haven't won since 1999 – before taking on Essendon (home), Adelaide (away), the Giants (home) and Collingwood (away).
The Eagles were flat after almost being overrun by St Kilda but Gaff urged his teammates to enjoy every win and embrace the challenge of being hunted on the run home.
"Every team that's going well opposition teams scout you and do different things to try to put you off your game. That's our next evolution as a footy club," Gaff said.
"We've got a tough few weeks straight after the bye so we need to be at our absolute best."