West Coast have fended off interest from Port Adelaide to re-sign ruckman Scott Lycett for the next four years, while forward Jack Darling and wingman Andrew Gaff have also penned new deals with the AFL club.
Lycett’s future at the Eagles appeared uncertain earlier this year as he struggled to get game time behind established ruckmen Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.
The Power were keen to lure the South Australian their way, but Cox’s decision to retire put West Coast back into the box seat to re-sign Lycett, whose new deal will expire at the end of 2018.
Darling was already contracted until the end of next season, but has now added a further two years onto that deal.
And Gaff, who hails from Victoria, has signed a new two-year deal that ties him to the club until at least the end of 2016.
Lycett said he has relished the chance to work with both Naitanui and Cox since being drafted with pick No.29 in 2010.
“I have really enjoyed the opportunity to learn some of the finer points of ruck work from Nic and Coxy,” the 21-year-old said.
“It has been a unique situation to learn from two of the game’s best and I feel privileged to be in that position.
“I look forward to working with them both, with Coxy as ruck coach, to get the club to a position of power again.”
Darling has played 88 of a possible 91 matches since being drafted by the Eagles with pick No.26 in the 2010 national draft.
The 22-year-old has already booted 154 goals, including 53 in a breakout season in 2012.
Although West Coast are on the verge of missing this year’s finals, Darling is confident a bright future lies ahead.
“There is no doubt that as a team we have improved and we are a young playing group that is looking to have a big impact on the competition,” Darling said.
“We are a chance to play finals this year, but whatever happens in the next few weeks I think there are positive signs that we will build on that in the next couple of years.”
Gaff struggled to deal with a series of tags last year, but has rediscovered his best form this season under rookie coach Adam Simpson.
West Coast’s three-point loss to Essendon on Saturday left them a win adrift of eighth spot.
