West Coast are expected to make re-signing Andrew Gaff their No.1 recruiting priority over coming months as they seek to head off rival bids to lure the Victorian-bred midfielder back east.

Gaff has not committed to a new deal beyond the end of this season.

The 2010 No.4 draft pick is one of the club’s few young stars yet to be re-signed, with the Eagles having already locked away Nic Naitanui, Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy until the end of 2014.

Last year’s NAB Rising Star runner-up Luke Shuey is also contracted for the next two seasons.

Gaff is rumoured to have battled homesickness since moving to Perth.

The 19-year-old would become a major target if he remained uncontracted and built on the immense potential shown across 17 matches in an impressive debut season last year.

Essendon are believed to have privately expressed an interest in Gaff.

West Coast will also be wary of the concessions still at the disposal of Greater Western Sydney.

The new franchise is able to sign up to 12 uncontracted players at the end of this season.

The defection of 2009 No.1 draft pick Tom Scully from Melbourne to the Giants in September last year as part of a $6 million, six-year deal has proven not even first-choice draft picks are out of the equation.

Gaff’s manager Paul Connors could not be contacted yesterday.

The teenager burst onto the scene in last year’s NAB Cup before being cast in the role of pinch-hitting substitute.

He later earned a permanent berth in the Eagles midfield and played in all three of their finals.

He showcased his running power, precise kicking and ability to find the ball in the process, culminating in a season-high 33 disposals against Melbourne in round 21.

Matt Rosa, who re-signed at the end of the 2010 season, said Gaff had stood out this pre-season.

“He’s an exciting talent, so hopefully he has a big year and plays many more years for the club,” Rosa said.

“It’s a great club that we are involved in.

“We’re given all the best facilities, everything’s at our disposal to make sure we become the best footballers we can be.

“We’re on the up. I don’t think you really need too much more motivation (to stay) than that.”

Rosa (knee) will join Naitanui, Daniel Kerr, Andrew Embley, Beau Waters and Will Schofield in sitting out the club’s opening NAB Cup matches against Fremantle and Essendon at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

However, Gaff is expected to be amongst a host of Eagles youngsters having their first competitive hit-out for 2012.

A total of 19,000 tickets had been sold by late yesterday afternoon to the round-robin matches starting at 4.45pm.

Patersons Stadium manager Gavin Taylor said he expected 25,000 people would attend in a turnout that would match last year’s corresponding fixture.