GEELONG champion Jimmy Bartel wants to ensure his age won't impact on selection at the Cats in 2017 before he decides to play on.
Bartel, who turns 33 at the end of the year, is keen to establish that it will be form, and no other factor, that dictates his selection in the senior side.
Bartel told K-Rock on Saturday a decision on his future would be made after frank and honest conversations with the coach, Chris Scott, and Geelong's list management team.
"Probably the thing for me would be [that] if I am playing good footy I get picked, and not so much as you get older, where you can still be playing good footy, and they still pick a younger player in front of you," Bartel said.
"It will be some honest conversations like that and then I guess I will have to make a decision from there, or they will have to make a decision from there."
The 32-year-old reached the 300-game milestone on Friday night in fine form and is expected to activate a trigger clause in his contract before the end of the season.
It's understood the clause would enable him to play on if he chooses to extend his career into a 16th season.
The only game he missed in 2016 was when he was rested for the match against Fremantle.
The reason for him missing was listed as managed which, for the purposes of incentive payments or contract triggers, counted as a game, adding one to the 17 matches he has played this season.
Bartel's experience could be invaluable for the Cats in 2017 as teams recognise the importance of having leaders on every line to make instant decisions.
"I think it is vital, more so in this game, because it takes so long for (coaches) to implement something in the field," he said.
"As quick as we are to move guys out of footy once they turn 30, I think we are starting to realise actually you need a couple in each side."
Along with Bartel, the Cats have four players over 30 years of age still in superb form with Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie, Harry Taylor and Corey Enright among the Cats' best players in recent weeks.
Hawthorn has shown its willingness to retain veterans who are still performing well with Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Josh Gibson and Shaun Burgoyne all likely to play in 2017 if they choose to continue their careers, while North Melbourne has nine players over 30 on its list.
Bartel earned a contract at the end of last season, his versatility preferred to since-departed premiership teammates Steve Johnson, Mathew Stokes and James Kelly, who did not have their contracts renewed.
The Cats still have several players unsigned beyond the end of the season including Lonergan, Daniel Menzel, Lincoln McCarthy, Mitch Clark and Nathan Vardy.