ORIGINAL Sun Tom Nicholls says he loves Gold Coast, but still has some thinking to do before inking a new deal.

Nicholls is out of contract at season's end and says manager Ned Guy will visit the coast in a few weeks to ramp up discussions. 

The 24-year-old is one of the most popular players on the team and has forged his way to the No.1 ruck role over the years. 

With 42 games to his name, the 203cm ruckman is entering his prime.

However, when asked how negotiations were going by AFL.com.au, Nicholls was playing a straight bat.

"I don't really have any answers," he said.

"I suppose it's a bit like everything in life, you want to take everything into account and make a measured decision."

Nicholls enjoys the coast lifestyle and said he "loved" the Suns playing group. 

"Hopefully Ned and (Suns list manager) Scott (Clayton) can come to an agreement."

Nicholls has had a difficult season, being dropped by coach Rodney Eade in favour of North Melbourne recruit Dan Currie earlier in the year. 

It was a wake-up call for Nicholls, who admitted he'd gotten a bit complacent. 

"When I first got dropped I was devastated and shattered," he said. 

"You go both ways, you ask yourself 'why did I get dropped?', but then you have a look and realise where the coaches are coming from.

"It was steering myself back onto that path of continuing to improve and never being satisfied with my performance."

Nicholls said he had deferred his university studies for next year to concentrate on his footy.