WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson has shrugged off renewed speculation about restricted free agent Jeremy McGovern's future after his management met with St Kilda.
McGovern has reportedly been targeted by several Melbourne clubs dangling big-money offers in front of the star intercept defender.
West Coast's crosstown rival Fremantle has also been linked to the in-demand 26-year-old, whose father Andrew played 63 games for the Dockers.
McGovern has indicated he will reassess his future during next round's bye but is likely to delay contract talks until season's end.
While that announcement briefly doused speculation, talk about McGovern's intentions has ramped up again after his manager Colin Young and colleague Andrew McDougall were spotted at St Kilda headquarters on Monday.
"I don't know how many people Colin manages, but I'm assuming Gov's not the only one, so I think we're jumping to a few conclusions there," Simpson said when asked on Channel Seven if he was concerned about McGovern's future.
"I'll handball that one on."
Young and McDougall also look after Eagles big man Scott Lycett, who remains in talks to extend his contract beyond this year, while fellow restricted free agent Andrew Gaff has indicated he is in no rush to put pen to paper.
Lycett's value continues to rise amid an excellent comeback from shoulder issues alongside Nic Naitanui, while Gaff is back in All Australian form averaging 30 disposals per game.
While the Eagles' three key free agents are waiting to assess their options, West Coast has gone on a signing frenzy, locking away a host of other important players, including Jack Redden, Liam Duggan, Willie Rioli, Jake Waterman and Liam Ryan.
"We'd love to get Jeremy done, and Andrew and Scott and a lot of our players who are coming out of contract in the short-term," Simpson said.
"We'll keep working on that. We love to have those guys here and we're doing everything we can."
Victorian wingman Gaff said playing for a premiership contender will be a factor in his decision and the Eagles are flying a game clear on top of the ladder.
West Coast will be gunning for 10 straight victories against the lowly Saints at Optus Stadium on Saturday night and expects damaging midfielder Luke Shuey will be available.
Shuey has missed the past three games after straining a hamstring against Port Adelaide in round seven.
"He trained today and we've got a training session tomorrow and Thursday," Simpson said.
"We think he's going to be available. We'll have to wait and see."
Simpson was relieved electric goalsneak Rioli escaped with a fine after tapping umpire Ray Chamberlain on the hip in Sunday's hard-fought win over Hawthorn, the latest in a spate of umpire contact issues across the AFL.
"Looking at the incident, there was something we've got to try and avoid," he said.
"But I suppose the contact was a friendly one.
"We're happy we got away with it – when I say got away with it, it was not a big deal.
"In fact, I thought the umpire encroached a fair bit on Willie's space."
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