MATT Suckling admits that free agency speculation has distracted him this season and says he won't rush to reopen contract talks with Hawthorn until his form improves.

Suckling will become an unrestricted free agent when his deal expires later this year and he could move to a rival club without the Hawks having the chance to match an offer.

But the New South Welshman told AFL.com.au he wants to stay at Waverley and said he was not really aware of reported interest from the Brisbane Lions.

"You obviously hear the same stuff that everyone hears and I read the paper as well and I see the same stuff ... my manager's looking after all that," Suckling said.

"When the time's right and I feel in a good space, I'll address it."

The former rookie, who turns 27 later this month, was one of the feel-good stories of last year's premiership triumph after fighting back from a knee reconstruction that wiped out his 2013 season.

But speculation about his playing future rattled Suckling at the start of this season and he was dropped for the round nine clash against Gold Coast before earning a last-minute reprieve.

"It was obviously something new to me this year, the whole free agency stuff, and I think at the start of the year it probably was affecting me," Suckling said.

"I was a bit flustered, so I found it easier just to put it on the backburner and just concentrate on this year."

Suckling last inked a two-year contract extension in 2013 and has not put a deadline on negotiations for a new deal.

"I haven't really thought about that too much," Suckling said.

"If I start playing well and things turn around we can address it then, but if not we'll just wait."

Suckling has played every game this season – twice starting in the green sub's vest - taking his career tally to 91 matches since he was recruited from the Wagga Tigers in 2007.

The quietly-spoken utility is among the most popular players at Hawthorn, with close friends Isaac Smith and Luke Breust partly driven to win last year's flag so they could share it with Suckling.

"I've got so many good mates here and they've been great to me," Suckling said.

"It's such a powerful club and you're well looked after, so I'd love to stay here."

Four Hawks – Lance Franklin (Swans), Clinton Young (Collingwood), Xavier Ellis (West Coast) and Tom Murphy (Gold Coast) - have flown the nest since free agency's inception in 2012.

The reigning premiers have also benefited, attracting prized key defender James Frawley from Melbourne last year and midfielder Jonathan Simpkin (Geelong) in 2012.