STAR West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff will remain in Melbourne indefinitely to be with his family after his father underwent heart surgery on Thursday.
Gaff, whose season is over after an eight-week suspension, has been back in Victoria since attending the Tribunal last Tuesday.
He was expected to return to the Eagles this week but his father, Paul, is seriously ill in hospital.
"It's not something I think we should be talking about. It's a private matter," Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.
"Obviously his dad is seriously ill. As we have been for the whole journey, our full support is behind Andrew and his family.
"He's in Melbourne at the moment, he'll stay there to be with his family.
"I think we'd appreciate some privacy on this one, if that's possible."
Gaff has been through a difficult time recently, with his uncharacteristic strike on Fremantle youngster Andy Brayshaw creating nation-wide headlines, and the restricted free agent is weighing up whether to re-sign or return home at season's end.
The Eagles overcame his absence to clinch an after-the-siren road win against Port Adelaide last round to sit in the box seat for a top-two berth.
West Coast needs to defeat Melbourne on Sunday or Brisbane on the final day of the season to secure two home finals, but will most likely have to do it without star spearhead Josh Kennedy.
"He's got this little hairline fracture and once that covers up and he's pain-free, away he goes," Simpson said of Kennedy.
"But at the moment every time we get him to a certain point (at training), we've got to pull him back.
"It would be a stretch to say he'll miss a final.
"I'd love to get him back for at least a game before the finals, but I don't know if that's going to happen."
In Kennedy's absence, Simpson is weighing up recalling Jake Waterman after the young forward booted 7.3 for East Perth.
Waterman has been dropped three times in the past six weeks and hasn't kicked a goal in his past four games after an excellent start to his career with 13 majors in 12 matches.
"When you're a young forward, especially key position, having a Kennedy and (Jack) Darling there, it's so much better for your development," Simpson said.
"When you go in as a young key forward and you're the pivot, you're going to struggle a little bit.
"I've seen that, even at Freo, the young forward line, sometimes you're crying out for a key position experienced player so they can leverage off that.
"We're fortunate we've got those guys, but when they're not there I think it's another level up.
"So that's why it's been a bit inconsistent for Jake."
Melbourne, which needs a victory to confirm a finals return for the first time since 2006, is the AFL's highest-scoring team, but will be without gun forward Jesse Hogan (foot).
The Demons have copped criticism for failing to beat a top-nine team (0-7) but are dangerous, especially with All Australian ruckman Max Gawn looming as a potential matchwinner against Scott Lycett and Nathan Vardy.
"The really, really good ruckmen, you're just trying to nullify," Simpson said.
"That's not taking anything away from our boys, they're developing really well.
"Obviously in the absence of Nic (Naitanui) they've been in the front line now.
"This is the biggest challenge they've had since we lost Nic."
