DEPARTING Port Adelaide midfielder Jared Polec believes he will be lining up alongside West Coast free agent Andrew Gaff at North Melbourne in 2019.

AFL.com.au understands Polec has informed several former Power teammates and people close to him at Alberton that he expects Gaff to cross from the Eagles and join him at Arden Street.

While Polec has confirmed his desire to become a Roo, Gaff is expected to make public a decision on his future when the dust settles on the Eagles' premiership celebrations.

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Gaff is looking at a deal in excess of six years, worth more than $1 million a season, and he remained adamant up to Saturday night he still had a decision to make.

Coach Adam Simpson was unsure whether Gaff had played his last match for the club in his post-match press conference following the Grand Final success.

Missing through suspension, Gaff was the most distraught of the sidelined Eagles in the rooms on Saturday night, among a group including injured pair Nic Naitanui and Brad Sheppard.

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Having returned home to their fans on Sunday, the Eagles' festivities will continue in coming days before officials look to meet with Gaff and fellow free agent Scott Lycett to discuss their 2019 plans.

The official free agency period opens on Friday, the same day as the club's best and fairest count.

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Speaking to AFL.com.au on Saturday night, Lycett called for "patience" before he announces his intentions, which likely involve crossing to Port Adelaide on a four-year deal.

Lycett and Gaff, who were drafted to the Eagles together in 2010, are close friends and have been discussing their free agency situations together.

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During the season, West Coast had become increasingly confident that Gaff would re-commit to the club, before two life-changing events struck the star wingman in August.

While Gaff was serving an eight-week suspension for striking Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw, his father was admitted to hospital to undergo major heart surgery.

Gaff spent extra time in Melbourne to be with his family. His father was released from hospital last week.

Gaff has two matches remaining on his ban, which will be served in the first two rounds of 2019.

Should he and Lycett return to their native states, the Eagles are expected to receive two end-of-first-round compensation picks.