KADE Simpson feels so reinvigorated under new Carlton coach Brendon Bolton he believes he could play for another two years.
Simpson will celebrate his 250th game on Sunday when the Blues seek their fourth win in a row, against Ken Hinkley's up-and-down Port Adelaide side.
The defender turned 32 last Thursday but he is of one of several 'thirty-somethings' defying their birth certificates this season.
Simpson had 31 possessions and five running bounces in Carlton's win over Collingwood last Saturday to continue a fine start to 2016.
After seven rounds, he is the Blues' leading possession winner, averaging 27.3 touches a game, and is ranked seventh in the competition for rebound 50s (35).
He is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season but has no plans to retire or seek a new football home.
"I had a really good pre-season, probably 'Bolts' and some new coaches coming in reinvigorated me, and my body's feeling really good and mentally I'm in a good space as well," Simpson told AFL.com.au on Monday at the launch of Carlton's new two-year partnership with Eynesbury Homestead and Golf.
"Hopefully (I can play on for) another one or two years."
Simpson had preliminary contract discussions with Bolton, Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni and football manager Andrew McKay a few weeks ago and said he was confident of earning a new deal if he continued to perform on the field.
"I think it will just take its course in due time, but I think probably after the mid-season break we'll look at doing something," Simpson said.
"And if the form holds up then there's no reason why it won't be done."
Taken at pick No.45 in the 2002 national draft, Simpson has been part of a largely disappointing era at the Blues.
The Blues have won three wooden spoons in that time and finished second last twice.
They briefly looked destined for big things after playing three consecutive finals series under Brett Ratten from 2009-11, but Simpson has been part of just two finals wins, in elimination finals against Essendon in 2011 and Richmond in 2013.
When Carlton opted to 'reset' under rookie coach Bolton at the end of last season, Simpson could have seen this a sign his hopes of winning a flag at Ikon Park had passed.
But the 2013 best-and-fairest winner has not given up hope of being part of a league-record 17th premiership at Carlton.
He says there is a real buzz at the club following wins over Fremantle, Essendon and Collingwood in the past three rounds, with the players' belief in Bolton's new game-plan growing stronger by the week.
He also cites the Western Bulldogs' rise from 14th in 2014 to finalists last year and premiership contenders this season as proof teams can rebuild quickly.
"I have a look at the Bulldogs and how quickly they turned it around with a new coach (Luke Beveridge), it sort of gives you a bit of hope," Simpson says.
"And then seeing some of the younger guys come in like (Jacob) Weitering, and I know we haven't seen Harry McKay but his pre-season was super impressive, to see those guys come in just reinvigorates the team and gives you a lot of hope."
