WEST Coast assistant coach Sam Mitchell remains fixed on a move home to Victoria at the end of the season despite reports the Eagles would hold him to the remaining two years of his contract.
Mitchell crossed to the Eagles from Hawthorn in a bombshell trade at the end of 2016, playing last season before embarking on a three-year coaching deal in 2018.
It emerged last week Mitchell had decided to come home at the end of this season, with a host of Victorian clubs including the Hawks and Carlton already clamouring for his services.
MITCH ON THE MOVE Former Hawks set to return to Melbourne
However, News Corp reported on Tuesday the Eagles would seek to have Mitchell fulfill his contract even if that meant him working out of the club's Melbourne office.
Mitchell told SEN radio on Wednesday he needed to move back to Melbourne for family reasons, something the Eagles understood and supported.
"I've said to the players and the coach that I love them but I love my wife and my family more, so that's where my priority needs to be," Mitchell said.
"It's never been my intention to move out early but that has become a necessity.
"I've spoken to the football club about that, (West Coast football manager) Craig Vozzo and 'Simmo' (coach Adam Simpson) have been very supportive."
Simpson said last week West Coast would address Mitchell's future at the club after the season.
"He's working through some things with his family that we understand," Simpson said.
"We'll worry about that at the end of the year but he's working through that and what's really important for us is this year and this week, so that will take care of itself at the end of the season.
"He's contracted so there's a bit to work through. We obviously signed him long-term so it wasn't part of the plan.
"He's been coaching for seven months, so he's a first-year coach."
Despite his desire to move, Mitchell said he remained focused on the remainder of the Eagles' home and away season and looming finals campaign.
"We are sitting second on the ladder and these opportunities, as I know, don't come along too often. You have to take them with both hands," he said.
"My commitment right now is 100 per cent with the Eagles and making sure I can get our midfield to perform at a level that will give us every chance to win."