ANYONE who watched Lachy Hansen bound up to the stage at North Melbourne's best and fairest function to accept his best clubman award knows he is still moving well.
But Hansen himself knew it was a chance to "lap it up", because it might be his last official activity as an AFL footballer before turning to the tools as a carpenter.
The No.3 pick in 2006's so-called 'superdraft' - behind Bryce Gibbs and Scott Gumbleton - won't be at the Kangaroos next season, after 151 games, including six finals, across 11 seasons. He was delisted in late August.
Durable North mid gets the chop
North is in full-blown rebuilding mode, and prioritised promising defensive pair Sam Durdin and Dan Nielson, both 21, over Hansen in the second half of the year.
"I probably knew the writing was on the wall halfway through the season," the 29-year-old told AFL.com.au.
"I had a good first half of the year, but had a stinker in round 13 - and that was pretty much it. We'd won four games and weren't going to play finals, so they went the way of playing a few young fellas in the backline, like 'Durds' and Danny.
"It was disappointing that it was me who was the one who missed out, but you could see where the club was going. It was nice to get back to play that last game with the boys."
Hansen wants four things to be known: he holds no grudges with the Roos, wants to play on in 2018, is willing to go interstate, and his body is almost as good as ever since double-hip surgery two years ago.
"I've always loved footy, and if I could get a chance to play another year or two or three at an interstate club, I'd jump at it – I would be on the first plane there," he said.
"I've shown I can play key back on some big forwards or as more of a third tall in that interceptor role for over 10 years, and I've also played forward as well.
"I've got that versatility to play either end of the ground and on talls or smalls … if there's a club out there that needs a little bit of leadership to work with the young fellas at either end, I feel like I've got a lot to offer."
Hansen, who lives in Pascoe Vale in Melbourne's north with long-time partner Prue and their three children, is leaving his playing future in the hands of his manager, Alex McDonald, of McDonald Sports.
There have been inquiries, and Geelong's 2007 Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Friday that Hansen would be a good option for the right club.
But Hansen is realistic enough to know his AFL career could be over, although he may continue in the VFL with Werribee. His many mates at Nar Nar Goon will have to wait a bit longer.
Lachy Hansen celebrates a goal in front of the North fans in round 10. Picture: AFL Photos
Running out for his 100th and 150th games with his children in tow, and winning an elimination final against Richmond in 2015 in front of 90,186 fans were his favourite moments.
Hansen's best form came between 2013 and 2015, when he was one of the competition's best intercept markers. He had 17 games with at least 10 marks in that period.
There was also a 30-disposal effort against Geelong in 2013 and a career-best five goals at Port Adelaide's expense three years earlier.
"I'm keeping fit at the moment, just in case something comes my way," Hansen said.
"If not, I've had a good 11 years of footy and enjoyed a lot of good times and bad times. I was happy to play one game, so to end up with 151 games was pretty special."
