WEST Coast should seriously consider allowing Andrew Gaff or Jeremy McGovern to leave via free agency this year.
Before Eagles fans rush to have me committed, the key word here is consider. That consideration process should also be driven by what the 2018 season says about West Coast's list.
If, after Nic Naitanui's long-awaited return from injury, the Eagles return to their form of 2015-16 that suggested they could contend for a flag, they should dust off the cheque book and move to re-sign Gaff and McGovern as soon as possible.
Eagles expecting big things from small duo
But if their list proves to be at the crossroads as it appeared to be at the end of 2017 when they farewelled veterans Matt Priddis, Sam Mitchell, Sharrod Wellingham, Sam Butler and Drew Petrie, they must explore all avenues open to them to regenerate it with elite young talent.
Allowing one of Gaff or McGovern to depart via free agency would almost certainly
get West Coast back into the first round of this year's NAB AFL Draft after it traded its own first-round pick to Gold Coast in last year's trade period.
Both Eagles will be in huge demand if they explore free agency.
Gaff was heavily courted by Victorian teams including St Kilda when he was last out of contract two years ago, and the former Oakleigh Charger has lost none of his appeal since then.
McGovern is the competition's best intercept mark, a strong one-on-one key defender and has made the past two All Australian teams. It's understood there is already keen interest for him from at least one Victorian club.
Both players are also yet to turn 26 – McGovern does so next month, Gaff in June – so rival clubs can confidently look to get five years' service or more from them. Even a rebuilding club could take them knowing they should still be near their peaks when it's ready to start contending again.
All of which adds up to big-money offers.
As an elite key-position player, McGovern could earn up to $1 million a season at a new club.
Gaff might attract offers more in the $850,000-900,000 range. However, teams such as North Melbourne, Carlton, St Kilda and Essendon who led the unsuccessful charge for Giants midfielder Josh Kelly last season could be prepared to tempt him with a seven-figure deal.
Regardless, any free agency offers for either player would comfortably earn the Eagles a first-round compensation pick.
If the 2018 season shows that West Coast's list has gone as far as it can go and needs a youthful makeover, the club could fast-track that process considerably by amicably parting ways with Gaff or McGovern.
If they finish low enough, they could claim their first top-10 draft pick since 2010, when ironically they took Gaff at No.4.
That would be an opportunity too good to pass up.
