The future of star West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr has again been thrust into the AFL spotlight following rumours the 25-year-old is on the verge of walking out on the Eagles.

Kerr, who is contracted to the club until the end of 2009, wants a four or a five-year contract extension but the Eagles are reportedly reluctant to offer such a lengthy deal due to Kerr's chequered off-field history.

Speculation grew on Sunday that Kerr was on the verge of asking West Coast for an early exit and to be traded to a Melbourne club.

But teammate and close friend Andrew Embley said he was confident Kerr would remain at the Eagles.

"I've spoken to Kerry about his situation and he's publicly stated he wants to stay at the West Coast Eagles and he's contracted to the football club for another year so I'm not so sure what all the fuss is about," Embley said.

"It's something I can't control. He's a very important player to this football club ... and I'm confident he'll be at West Coast next year."

The Eagles lost skipper Chris Judd to Carlton last year but Embley said Kerr's situation was different.

"He (Judd) was a Victorian guy and he went home for family reasons, Kerr is a West Australian bloke and he loves this football club and I'm confident he'll be here next year," Embley said.

"Kerry's his own person and I'm sure he'll make the right decision for himself."

Following Sunday's 71-point loss to Hawthorn, Eagles coach John Worsfold attempted to hose down the rumours circulating about his star charge.

"He is contracted to our footy club," Worsfold said.

"Something drastic has to happen for him not to be here next year."

While the playing future of Kerr remains up in the air, Embley praised the loyalty of Michael Braun, who on Sunday hung up his boots after 228 games with the club.

"He's a loyal person, he could have gone back to Victoria I think at 20, 21 for the big bucks but he stayed loyal to the football club," Embley said.

"It was disappointing we couldn't win for him ... he's been a terrific player for this football club for a long time and I thought his final effort, that mark he sort of ran back with the flight of the football (to take) just summed up what the guy's all about..

"We'll certainly miss him. He's been such a big contributor to this football club for a long time."

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