Andrew Gaff has turned his back on a huge free agency offer from North Melbourne to sign a new AFL deal with West Coast.
The star winger has agonised over the big career choice but put months of indecision behind him on Sunday when he informed the Roos he will stay in Perth.
The Eagles confirmed the move on their official Twitter account.
The 26-year-old, who missed West Coast’s premiership triumph after copping an eight-game ban for punching Fremantle’s Angus Brayshaw, was out of contract and had been mulling a return to home state Victoria.
He gave no indication which way he was leaning as late as Friday night when he addressed West Coast’s best-and-fairest count where he finished fifth despite playing 19 of a possible 25 games.
Gaff’s decision is the latest in a string of near-misses for the Roos who have also been unsuccessful in luring Dustin Martin, Isaac Heeney, Adam Treloar, Josh Kelly and Jordan De Goey.
However, they have already agreed to trade for Port Adelaide speedster Jared Polec and Gold Coast’s Aaron Hall.
Gaff’s manager Robbie D’Orazio confirmed the race to sign him had come down to West Coast and North after St Kilda, Essendon and Melbourne previously showed interest.
Gaff’s move is the latest major free agency domino to fall after the Suns’ Tom Lynch revealed he will play for Richmond from next season.
In the only free agency paperwork filed over the weekend, Port Adelaide swooped on Eagles ruckman Scott Lycett.
The official trade period gets underway at 10am on Monday, with all 18 clubs to convene at Marvel Stadium for talks.