FREMANTLE midfielder Michael Barlow says he is confident that he has more good football ahead of him but he is unsure where his future lies.
Barlow, 28, is out of contract at the end of the season and the Dockers appear set to make a significant number of list changes as they look to rebuild following a horror year.
Barlow will not play again this season after suffering a serious shoulder injury in round 17.
He told Fox Footy on Wednesday night that his year had been a "rollercoaster". He was dropped mid-season before a spectacular return to form when the Dockers posted three-straight wins just prior to the bye.
He said his return to form had given him enormous belief that he still had a lot to give at AFL level but he is unsure where he will be in 2017.
"You've got to look at the plan A, B, C and D," Barlow said.
"That's what my management is in place for to be assured of a career going forward. Because I'm really confident of my body and my form, especially the last 10 weeks and the way I've held myself and conducted myself.
"I'm 28 years old, as I said, I'm really confident, my mind is really fresh, I'm disappointed with the latest set-back but the legs will stay nice and healthy.
"What will be will be because we know it will be an interesting time at Fremantle."
During his time out, Barlow has started a podcast called Out of Bounds and this week he spoke with injured Western Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis.
The pair share common ground given they have both suffered horrific broken legs. Barlow's injury occurred in 2010 while Wallis suffered his injury a fortnight ago.
Wallis said he had received good news from the surgeon this week.
"I met with the surgeon yesterday, David Young," Wallis said.
"I think that was 10 days post-operation. He was very happy with how the bones had aligned and began to knit, which is a good thing.
"They've put me in this big Cam Walker boot, which they reckon is revolutionary.
"I go into the club later this week to talk to the physios and the rehab staff to start getting a program together."
Barlow had got in contact with Wallis through Bulldogs defender Dale Morris, who also suffered a badly broken leg in 2011.
"I felt a bit of due diligence to contact both those guys when it happened because I got such tremendous support from guys that had gone through a similar injury when I'd done it," Barlow said.
"I got a lot of advice and continue feed in anything I can with Mitch. I think he's pretty optimistic and so he should be because if not a natural athlete like myself can get back playing at some sort of level a guy like Mitch should be up and running pretty quickly and go well."
