WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson isn't sure if Mark LeCras wants to play on in 2019, but has left the door open after the veteran forward's resurgent season.
LeCras, who turns 32 next month, battled hip and glute issues last year and looked close to the end of a decorated career, despite still booting 32 goals from 19 games.
However, the 2010 club champion has bounced back, embraced an unofficial leadership role in a youthful attack and is on track to kick at least 30 majors for the sixth-straight year.
LeCras has snared 24 majors from 14 matches, including two in his return from a wrist complaint last Sunday against Collingwood, and has seemingly benefited from having more dangerous small forwards around him.
"I don't know if he wants to (play on), but if he does, it's worth a discussion," Simpson said on Friday.
"I haven't spoken to him about it, but we're really happy with his form.
"I think what's helped him this year more than anything is the youth coming through, so (Daniel) Venables, (Willie) Rioli, (Jake) Waterman, (Jack) Petruccelle, (Liam) Ryan, I think those (guys) have given him a lot more energy.
"He's leading really well off-field and he's holding up his end.
"He's in pretty good touch. He's obviously missed a few weeks with his wrist.
"We'll worry about that (his future) in a few weeks."
Second-placed West Coast only has four players aged over 30 after transitioning from the AFL's oldest list following a spate of retirements last year.
Skipper Shannon Hurn is in the form of his career and is contracted for 2019, along with spearhead Josh Kennedy.
But former club champion Eric Mackenzie's future is in doubt after foot issues limited the out-of-contract defender to just one WAFL appearance this year.
The Eagles' list management priorities are clearly to re-sign key restricted free agents Jeremy McGovern, Andrew Gaff and Scott Lycett, with their decisions set to have a major impact on West Coast's forward planning.
Even if Lycett recommits, there will be calls to make about bringing in more ruck support following Nic Naitanui's second ACL rupture.
"We'll have to look at it. I'm looking forward to the next list management meeting to see what we're going to do," Simpson said.
"We're going to not have Nic probably for most of next year."
Simpson didn't rule out targeting another experienced big man after luring his former North Melbourne teammate Drew Petrie out of retirement last year to fill a rookie list spot.
Petrie played 16 games and formed a competitive combination with fellow recruit Nathan Vardy in a successful final season while Lycett and Naitanui were sidelined for all-but one game between them.
"How we manage that (not having Naitanui for at least 12 months) is a bit like what we had going into the draft the year before when we got Drew, which was obviously widely-criticised at the time, but we needed someone to fill the void," he said.
"That's up for debate, what we do."
