Friday, 21 September 2018:

MAX GAWN of the Demons in action during the AFL 2018 JLT Community Series match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Melbourne Demons at Kingborough Oval in Hobart, Australia.

West Coast players have two simple messages for ruckman Scott Lycett - we love you, and don't let the contract distractions get to you.

Lycett's ruck battle against Melbourne's Max Gawn is set to go a long way towards deciding the result of Saturday's preliminary final at Optus Stadium.

Gawn has been in supreme form all season, and monstered Lycett when they clashed five weeks ago.

The 208cm Demon tallied 20 disposals, 41 hitouts and six clearances to help guide Melbourne to a 17-point victory.

Lycett (11 disposals, 21 hitouts, three clearances) and Nathan Vardy (eight disposals, 14 hitouts, one clearance) struggled to keep up.

Rumours are rife that Lycett will join Port Adelaide as a restricted free agent at the end of the AFL season.

West Coast also face a major fight to retain star midfielder Andrew Gaff, who is being offered a huge deal by North Melbourne.

Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern went through the same contract distractions earlier this year before deciding to recommit to West Coast on a long-term deal.

He said it was important for Lycett to put the distractions aside and focus on the job at hand.

"You just need to surround yourself with people that know you pretty well, and who understand the situation," McGovern said.

"There's a lot of stuff that gets blown around and told and said, and everyone's got their own opinions. It's good not to read too much."

Eagles skipper Shannon Hurn has been happy with the way Lycett has handled himself throughout the contract rumours.

"If you look at the NRL, blokes halfway through the year say they're going to somewhere else, but they still commit while they're there," he said.

"I think that's what Scotty has been able to do."

If Lycett does leave, it would decimate West Coast's ruck department given that Nic Naitanui (knee) is no certainty to return next year.

Vardy has been a solid back-up, but West Coast would need to recruit a ready-made ruckman if Lycett departs.

McGovern hasn't got the impression that Lycett is definitely leaving, and he hopes the 25-year-old stays put.

"I'd love to see him stay here but the game's changed in the last few years and the type of offers that get thrown around are life-changing," he said.

"You've got to consider them."

Meanwhile, West Coast have recalled veteran defender Will Schofield in place of Brad Sheppard (hamstring).

Melbourne also made just one change, axing first-year Demon Bayley Fritsch to make room for Joel Smith.

AAP