GEELONG premiership star Paul Chapman will explore other opportunities after meeting with Cats officials on Thursday.
Chapman, who turns 32 in November, is an unrestricted free agent and will look to move to another club after 14 seasons with Geelong.
His manager Liam Pickering was adamant that the man known as 'Chappy' – a long-time fan favourite at Simonds Stadium – would be running around in the AFL in 2014.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said Chapman would go down as a legend of the football club.
"Paul's record speaks for itself, but it doesn't show the fierce competitor and the determination to succeed that he has displayed every day," he said.
"His contribution is greater than the numbers and awards. You only have to watch the intensity he brings to training, to meetings and to games to know how much football means to him.
"He has decided that he would like to extend his career and we wish him well … he will always be remembered as a Geelong icon."
Earlier on Thursday, Pickering told AFL.com.au's Gillette Trade Radio that Chapman would have an AFL home in 2014 but "I'm just not sure it will be at Geelong".
"I'd love to see him finish his career there, but it doesn't appear that's going to be the case, even though there is a petition of 10,000 (signatures) going around to 'Keep Chappy at Geelong'," Pickering said.
"I'm not sure it will actually work, so I think he might be playing somewhere else next year, which is disappointing."
Richmond has been repeatedly linked to Chapman, although it is believed the Tigers have shown only lukewarm interest in him.
For his part, Pickering is refusing to reveal which clubs have the three-time premiership player in their sights.
"I've got a couple that I've been talking to," he said. "So he'll find a home, he's too good a footballer (not to).
"I'm just not sure it will be at the Cats, unfortunately."
Chapman is expected to attend Geelong's best and fairest count, which will be held in Melbourne on Thursday night.
The Cats will farewell delisted premiership players James Podsiadly and Josh Hunt at the function.
Veteran midfielder Joel Corey, a three-time flag winner like Chapman, is also expected to depart the club on his own terms in the coming days.
