West Coast Eagles midfielder Andrew Gaff has announced his retirement from the AFL.
Gaff, who turned 32 in June, has played just three matches this season.
He was dropped after a disappointing outing against Port Adelaide in round one, but was recalled to the senior side for their games against St Kilda and North Melbourne in rounds 11 and 12.
The club says he will play against North Melbourne in Hobart this weekend, and will be granted a farewell game against Carlton at home the following week.
Gaff has played 278 senior games since he was taken with pick 4 in the 2010 National Draft.
He was a two-time All Australian, whose hard running on a wing was instrumental in taking the club to the AFL Grand Final in 2015, in which he was West Coast’s best player, as they were soundly beaten by Hawthorn.
He missed playing in the club’s 2018 premiership because of suspension, after he was handed an eight-week ban for a punch to the jaw of Fremantle star Andrew Brayshaw.
Barring injury, games against North Melbourne and Carlton would grant Gaff AFL life membership, as his total of pre-season and representative matches would see him hit the 300-game milestone.
“Andrew has been an amazing contributor to our club for a decade and a half and we will take the opportunity to appropriately acknowledge him in the next two weeks,” General Manager Football Gavin Bell said.
“It will be sad to see one of our great players end his career, but Andrew leaves a lasting legacy.
“He is highly respected across the football club, not just within the playing group and the football department.
“Importantly our members and fans on both the east coast and in Perth will get the opportunity to farewell him in the next two weeks.
“There will be a large contingent of Melbourne-based members and supporters in Hobart and we’re hoping for close to a full house for our last home against Carlton.”
