"Poor old Gaffy on the wing there is copping most of it this year as a 20-year-old, it’s a big ask for him," Shuey said last Monday.
"It’s probably not the easiest thing to come in to AFL footy as a young kid playing on the wing and copping the number one tag every week."
The 70-point victory against the Western Bulldogs at Patersons Stadium on Sunday was Gaff's 48th AFL game, and after collecting 18 possessions in his side's second win of the season, Gaff was philosophical about the attention he had received this year.
"It's all just part of football I suppose," Gaff said.
"We've got the luxury of having quite a few boys through the midfield, wings, playing some good football, so clubs have got to decide which couple of players they want to tag each week.
"But I'm not complaining, it's a part of football and hopefully if I don't get as many touches some of the other midfielders are getting 30 or 35 themselves."
Gaff played all 24 games for West Coast last season, averaging nearly 25 disposals, as well as gathering 26 touches in each of the two finals against North Melbourne and Collingwood.
But this year he is averaging just 17 disposals across his first six games as opponents have tried to shut down his output.
Gaff is working closely with midfield coach Scott Burns and Norm Smith medallist Andrew Embley to deal with the attention.
"I've spoken a bit to Burnsy.
"Obviously being a really good midfielder himself he's taught me a few things.
"Also Andrew Embley has played a lot of time on the wing.
"So he's given me a few tips specifically for the wing to try and break the tag.
"I'm still learning. Hopefully in a couple of years I can say it's been the best thing for my football."
Gaff said his side had made a conscious effort to finish off the Bulldogs following the Eagles poor start to the year.
"(We) haven't strung a good four-quarter performance together as yet so today was definitely a step in the right direction."
The Eagles were beaten in the fourth quarter in each of their four losses so far this season, and sensed an opportunity at three-quarter time against the Bulldogs when leading by 52 points.
"You could see they were pretty tired," Gaff said.
"We wanted to put a few goals on in the last quarter and go a way towards making amends for last week's fade out."
