FORMER Saint Steven Baker says he wants to play on for another year, and is prepared to head interstate to do so.
Baker left St Kilda after 203 games in controversial circumstances at the end of the 2011 season, when former coach Ross Lyon said he had retired, before it was later revealed they had simply "parted ways".
Baker said he felt no animosity towards the Saints but would be playing again in some capacity next season - and is prepared to travel to do so.
"I've got a few mates interstate at a few different clubs, so I wouldn't mind getting away for a year, it wouldn't be a long-term thing, but one year, why not?" Baker told afl.com.au's Trade Week Radio.
"I've got a meeting with my manager next week and we'll have a good chat about it.
"I'm feeling good and there's no reason I couldn't do it. I've got no doubt I could go one more year."
Baker, 31, admitted he had not been flooded with AFL offers and was more likely to end up playing local footy, but said his body felt in terrific shape.
"At the end of the season my body started feeling the best it's felt in a couple of years," he said.
"I was running around in the Magoos (reserves) feeling pretty good. I like to keep fit so I've done a mini pre-season off my own bat. I'll have a good sit down next week and go through the different options."
Despite the strange end to his time at St Kilda, the feisty defender said it was a simple misunderstanding.
"We'd had chats about me moving on and then the retirement thing, Ross was just trying to do the right thing by me saying I was retiring," Baker said.
"But I said I was happy to tell the truth and say we were going to part ways.
"I hold no ill feelings towards the club and I still love the club. It was a bit of a misunderstanding on the day but it's all worked out."
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The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
