Suspended West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff will stay in Melbourne indefinitely to be with his seriously ill father.
Gaff's father Paul is being treated in a Melbourne hospital for a serious heart condition that required surgery on Thursday.
Paul Gaff, a leading Melbourne tennis coach, remains in hospital.
"It's a private matter. His dad is seriously ill. Our full support is behind Andrew and his family," Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.
"He's in Melbourne at the moment and he'll stay there to be with his family. We'd appreciate some privacy on this one, if that's possible."
It continues a torrid time for Andrew Gaff, who will miss the rest of the season after copping an eight-week suspension for punching Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw.
Gaff has been in Melbourne since his tribunal hearing last week and he later visited the Brayshaw household to apologise in person.
His dad's poor health will raise further doubt about whether Gaff will re-sign with the Eagles.
Gaff, who will be a restricted free agent at season's end, is being heavily courted by North Melbourne.
St Kilda, Melbourne and Essendon are also reportedly interested in the Victorian.
Meanwhile, Simpson says star forward Josh Kennedy may not return until the start of the finals.
Kennedy will miss Sunday's clash with Melbourne in Perth because of a hairline fracture in his shin and he's no guarantee to return in the final-round match against Brisbane.
If he fails to play against the Lions it would mean Kennedy has missed six weeks before lining up in week one of the finals.
"It's just taking its time to heal," Simpson said.
"It's this little hairline fracture. Once that covers up and he's pain free away he goes.
"But at the moment every time we get him to a certain point we've got to pull him back.
"We thought he'd be available this week at worst but now we're hoping to get him back for the Brisbane game. But that's no guarantee either."
West Coast (15-5) will lock up a top-two berth with victory over the Demons.
Melbourne (12-8) need to win one more game to secure a finals berth, but they will be without star forward Jesse Hogan (foot) for the remainder of the season.
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