PROLIFIC West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff wants to become more damaging – and he's looking to teammate Luke Shuey for inspiration.

Gaff has been a model of consistency over the past two years - averaging a tick under 30 disposals per game – and is one of Adam Simpson's most reliable performers at home or away.

But the 24-year-old is targeting a bigger scoreboard impact after booting seven goals from 22 games last season, which ranked him 'below average' for a midfielder according to Champion Data.

"I might spend a little bit more time up forward this year just to keep dangerous," Gaff told AFL.com.au.

"You see Luke Shuey how he's been kicking a goal a game. If you can kick 20-plus goals a season in midfield it's a pretty good season."

Gaff's 11 goals in 2015 – when he was named club champion - was his best return in six seasons. 

That same year Shuey slotted 24 majors as the Eagles went on a stunning run to the Grand Final, but his goalkicking output halved last year as he shouldered a heftier 'inside' midfield role.

However, Sam Mitchell's presence could release Shuey and Gaff to have more impact up forward, potentially in the mould of Luke Parker, Marcus Bontempelli, Robbie Gray and Patrick Dangerfield, who all averaged at least a goal a game in 2016.

"To be somewhere near that (average) and to be a goalkicking midfielder is something most midfielders in the comp strive for," Gaff said.

"I just want to keep making sure I'm damaging."

Gaff tuned-up for the season proper with 35 touches and a goal against Melbourne two weeks ago, and liked what he saw from West Coast's onball brigade over the JLT Community Series.

The Eagles' ball movement was razor-sharp in wins over the Demons and Dockers, and they enjoyed a landslide of possession, raising expectations ahead of the home and away campaign.

With dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy spearheading a potent forward line and the Eagles boasting a rock-solid defence full of tall and small options, their midfield could hold the key to a premiership assault in 2017. 

The consistency of 'big four' – Gaff, Shuey, Mitchell and Matt Priddis – is unlikely to waver, but the output of Chris Masten, Elliot Yeo, Dom Sheed, Liam Duggan, Mark Hutchings, Jack Redden and Lewis Jetta could be telling.

Especially with first-choice ruckmen Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett missing for large chunks of the season.

"All the signs have been good so far," said Gaff, who joined the leadership group this year.

"Everyone's completed a solid pre-season. For Redden and Jetta, who had some injury lay-offs in their first pre-seasons at the club, they were able to do every bit of it and now comes the time to put that pre-season into performance. 

"We need everyone playing well from round one and for the rest of the year. 

"The time is now."

BEST GOALS PER GAME AVERAGE FOR MIDFIELDERS IN 2016 (minimum five games)