PORT Adelaide ruckman Scott Lycett has described his former West Coast teammate Andrew Gaff as "the best gut runner I've ever seen".
Lycett will face the Eagles for the first time since leaving the club after last year's premiership, in the Good Friday encounter at Optus Stadium.
The 26-year-old played 75 games in eight seasons for the Eagles before joining the Power on a five-year deal as a free agent.
A BIG POWER SWITCH Port sends former Cat back to the SANFL
The majority of those games were spent playing alongside Gaff, who has developed into one of the premier midfielders in the competition.
"He's the best gut runner on the field I've ever seen," Lycett told AFL.com.au this week.
"I've even had guys here (at Port Adelaide) tell me that when they've played West Coast, coming against him, it's the toughest job they have in the AFL."
Lycett was quick to point out the Power couldn't afford to put all their energy into stopping Gaff if they want to record their first win in three attempts at Optus Stadium.
"When I was there working with West Coast, they didn't rely on one or two guys in the midfield," Lycett said.
"If one guy wasn't standing up, then it didn't bother us at the time, another person would stand up and take that responsibility.
"I think that's where they're so dangerous - they've got a lot of weapons in the midfield.
"If one's not firing, then another is, which is pretty damaging."
WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor
That point was proven in last year's Grand Final.
Collingwood sent a tagger to Elliot Yeo, only for Luke Shuey to run riot in the first half before Yeo did damage after the main break.
"From what I've seen when I was at West Coast, when you tag one, another one gets off the leash," Lycett said.
Midfield jet Luke Shuey celebrates a goal for the Eagles. AFL Photos
"I don't know if you can tag them, but it's more the fact of it's going to take everyone out there.
"It's a real mentality of working together and doing the little things right."
Lycett is confident the Power midfield can more than hold its own.
MID-SEASON DRAFT 50 players who could spark up your list
Former skipper Travis Boak has been outstanding, having moved back to a full-time on-ball role this year, Tom Rockliff is finding plenty of the ball and Ollie Wines and Sam Powell-Pepper are strong in the contest.
"I feel quite lucky that I've gone from one elite club to another," Lycett said.
"Working with those guys, it's really good to see.
"Boaky's come into the midfield and played really well this year, and Rocky's stepped up as well from having a bit of a quiet season last year.
"I'm just excited and feel pretty privileged to come into a couple of midfields that have been working pretty well."
Find AFL Exchange on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
