DALE Morris is set to play on next season with the veteran defender close to re-signing with the Western Bulldogs.

Morris, 31, is due to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

But his manager, Scott Lucas, told AFL.com.au that Morris had been talking to the Bulldogs about a one-year contract and expected a new deal to be finalised soon.

"I would expect that Dale will re-sign with the Bulldogs sooner rather than later," Lucas said on Thursday.

"We have been in discussions with the Bulldogs and I don't see there being any issues that will get in the way of things.

"We're pretty close."

Morris is enjoying a strong season in 2014, having missed only two games with suspension and an ankle injury.

At 190cm, he continues to consistently man taller and stronger opponents and remains the Dogs' general in defence, leading the club for one-percenters this season (averaging 6.1 a game).

Lucas said Morris was at a stage in his career where signing one-year contracts made sense, but he could play on beyond 2015.

"Dale started his career a little bit later than most (at 22 in 2005), so he doesn't have as many miles on the clock as most players his age," Lucas said.

"He signed a one-year contract last year and I suspect he will approach things from now on on a year-by-year basis.

"But he remains the Bulldogs' No. 1 defender and is showing no signs of slowing down."

Morris has played 185 games and in the past two seasons has rebounded well from the badly broken leg that sidelined him for the entire 2012 season.