Chief 'confident' Lycett will remain an Eagle

West Coast have given their strongest indication yet they will be keeping out-of-contract ruckman Scott Lycett at the club beyond this year, with Andrew Gaff also “no chance” of being offered up for trade at the end of the year, according to chief executive Trevor Nisbett.

Lycett has reportedly been the target of interest from rival clubs, including Port Adelaide, as he fights for opportunities ahead of first-choice Eagles ruckmen Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.

But despite being no closer to securing the 21-year-old’s signature, Nisbett said he was confident Lycett would be at the club next season.

“We’ll be keeping Scott Lycett,” he said.

“We’re very firm. Scott won’t be going anywhere, he’s a big part of our plans.

“We want Gaffy to play with West Coast and hopefully he’ll play his career here.

“There’s never been any guarantees in footy, there’s no such thing. If players want guarantees to get a game, they need to play at probably a lower level where they can guarantee themselves a game because of ability.

“At AFL level there’s never a guarantee and Scotty knows that and so does everybody else in the squad.”

Gaff, 22, is another young Eagles out of contract with interest from clubs in his home state of Victoria.

But Nisbett, speaking as the club signed a memorandum of understanding with the Seniors Recreation Council, said the club wouldn’t be tempted to trade Gaff regardless of offers.

“No chance, we want Gaffy to play with West Coast and hopefully he’ll play his career here. He’s a terrific player,” he said.