West Coast star Andrew Gaff has confirmed North Melbourne are chasing his signature, but the in-demand midfielder remains non-committal on his AFL playing future.

On Friday, Gaff spoke publicly for the first time since he returned to Perth after a break in Melbourne where he spent time with his sick father and reflected on the fallout from his eight-game suspension for breaking Andy Brayshaw’s jaw.

The 26-year-old restricted free agent is out of contract at the end of the season and continues to consider his options.

He was less-than-definitive is his response when asked if he would sign a new deal with the Eagles.

“I hope so … it’s still something we’re working through with my management and the club,” Gaff told radio station Mix 94.5.

“With what’s happened (with Brayshaw), there’s sort of more stuff to think about, which we’ll continue to do over the next few weeks.

“With the team playing finals, that’s the priority.

“As I said to them when I got back to Perth, I’m so committed to what the boys have in front of them for the rest of the year, I’m focused on that.”

The Eagles will host a preliminary final against Melbourne or Hawthorn at Optus Stadium.

When asked about the clubs seeking to lure him he confirmed North were “one of them”.

Gaff remained in Melbourne after he copped a lengthy ban for the ugly incident during the round 20 western derby that resulted in Brayshaw undergoing surgery to repair significant damage caused by Gaff’s left-arm punch.

He is trying to keep the incident and its intense fallout separate from his decision-making process about his future.

“I think it’s got to be an independent thing, but no doubt it’s the elephant in the room and something that’s going to come up,” he said.

“It’s something that is hard to avoid.

“We’ll continue to work through that but I think it’s got to be more than just a reaction to what’s happened.”

Luring Gaff would be a huge boost for the Kangaroos, who will seek to land Jared Polec via the trade period after he told Port Adelaide of his desire to switch clubs.

Gaff’s father Paul remains in hospital in Melbourne where he is recovering from heart surgery.