Andrew Gaff is adamant he has already overcome any mental hurdles ahead of a highly scrutinised comeback in Saturday night’s grand final rematch against Collingwood at the MCG.

The gun West Coast midfielder opened up yesterday, eight months after his eight-match suspension for striking Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw, saying he wished he could take it back.

Gaff said he had been tempted by a lucrative offer from North Melbourne and had endured plenty of sleepless nights before recommitting on a long-term deal last October.

The 26-year-old said a desire to face up to the ugly western derby incident was only one aspect of his decision to stay in WA.

Gaff will return to the MCG for the first time since the “bittersweet” experience of watching his teammates win a premiership without him. And the dual All-Australian won’t have a low-key opening in a high-stakes showdown with a Collingwood midfield stacked with talent.

Don't miss the latest sports news! Was $13 now $7 per week for 12 weeks* (Digital + Print) Enjoy unlimited access to thewest.com.au and everyday digital editions on any device. Thursday - Monday papers home delivered with all of the latest footy news! *T&Cs apply

Gaff insists he and the man who replaced him last year, Dom Sheed, could thrive in the same team.

“Collingwood is probably the best team in the comp at the moment,” Gaff said.

“With Darcy Moore, (Jamie) Elliott and (Dayne) Beams from Brisbane coming in, they are a much better side and we need to be a much better side than we were on grand final day last year to be competitive and then win. We feel like we took a step forward on the weekend against a really good GWS midfield.”

Gaff said he simply wanted to play after producing what he rated his best football in 2018 before it was abruptly ended at the tribunal.

“It was a good thing for me to play AFLX and I really enjoyed playing the JLT games and being a part of game day with the boys again,” he said. “I don’t see it as something I’ve just got to get over.

“I’m keen to get on with it and hopefully contribute to a team win.”

The Eagles could lose defender Liam Duggan, who missed training at Subiaco Oval yesterday. His right knee was heavily bandaged.

Premiership pair Will Schofield and Jamie Cripps are pressing for call-ups.

It comes as Chris Scott admitted Geelong were “very close” to accepting West Coast’s offer for homesick midfielder Tim Kelly during last year’s trade period.

“I was actually in the US, so the list management team who were on the ground I think were very close,” the Cats coach told Channel 7’s Talking Footy.

“It’s always a collective decision, in saying that I had a very strong view on it. It would’ve been an outstanding deal for them, an absolutely outstanding deal.”