GEELONG is set to make a call on Paul Chapman's playing future by the end of the week.

The 31-year-old three-time premiership player has stated his desire to play on, yet the Cats are intent on developing their many talented youngsters.

The club is also facing a squeeze as it looks to promote George Burbury from its rookie list and open up at least two spots for players to be taken in November's NAB AFL Draft.

As a result, Chapman's time at Geelong appears finished after 251 games over 14 seasons.

But the situation raises a key question: might another club offer him a one-year contract?

Chapman's former teammate Gary Ablett certainly thinks it is possible.

"I think Chappy has still got good footy left in him. There is no doubt about that," Ablett said while showing off his Brownlow Medal at AFL House on Tuesday morning.

"If he wants to play on, and that means at another club, I think it would be fantastic for him."

A run of hamstring problems meant that Chapman played just eight games this season.

But his vintage performance in the Cats' semi-final win over Port Adelaide at the MCG, in which he kicked four goals and gathered 20 disposals, reminded the footy world that he's not a spent force.

"He is the kind of the guy that can sit down forward and have his 20 possessions and kick a couple of goals for you," Ablett said.

"I think he has still got good footy left in him, but it all depends on whether Geelong have got a spot for him at the moment.

"They might want to bring through some young kids and get them some experience, so obviously I'm not sure what is going to happen there."

Chapman might have been willing to hang up his boots if he had been handed the chance to bow out in a Grand Final.

Instead, the semi-final against Port Adelaide is almost certain to be his last appearance for the Cats.

He missed the club's five-point preliminary final loss to Hawthorn after accepting a one-match suspension for a high bump on Power forward Robbie Gray.

"I expect him to play on," Chapman's manager Liam Pickering told SEN earlier in September.

"I hope it's at Geelong. He's made that pretty clear.

"I expect him to play footy, absolutely. I hope it doesn't happen (at another club)."

Cats veterans Joel Corey and Josh Hunt are expected to announce their retirements in the coming days.