Geelong champion Mitch Duncan has quietly admitted that 2025 is almost certain to be his last year at the Cattery — but hasn’t ruled out a move to another AFL club to extend his career.

The 34-year-old has played 305 games for the Cats and is a modern great of the club, having been a key part of the 2011 and 2022 premierships.

But Duncan, who has not played at any level since injuring his shoulder in the VFL early last month, has told Triple M that he won’t be at Geelong next year.

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“I don’t think I’ll be playing at Geelong (next year), and that’s pretty much on both terms,” he said on Friday night before watching his side against Essendon.

“And I don’t want to speak out of school, there’s still a little bit to go throughout this year, so we’ll see how it pans out.”

But the veteran midfielder hasn’t ruled out a move to another club to play a 17th year.

“It’s been floated,” Duncan said of the potential to find another club.

“Obviously I’ve got pretty solid roots in Geelong; I’ve got four kids and a wife, and the wife’s family, so that (moving) would be pretty hard.

“But I suppose when you get to this part in your career, all these options can potentially open up, so we’ll weigh those up as they come through and see where it all lands and do what’s best for us as a family, not necessarily just me.

“It’s a little bit exciting though, potentially, of that happening. But obviously (there is) a lot of water to go under the bridge.”

And if he’s not playing at a second club, he could be coaching.

“Essendon have had a bit of a troubling year through injuries,” Duncan said.

“I still think once their senior players get back and their injury toll hopefully next year is not as bad, I still think there’s a bit to work with there.

“I might be looking for a job next year in the coaching area, so if they’re looking for any of them, I put my hand up!”

Duncan is facing an uphill battle to get back into the senior team before the end of the season, but says he will play at some level next week.

“I was kind of touch and go this week to be honest,” he said.

“I probably could have had a real stretch (to play), but don’t want to take too many risks at this time of year, I’d rather be ready if I was to be called upon in the next month or so, if we get that far.

“Hopefully will definitely be playing some sort of footy next week.”

Asked about his prospects of breaking back into the senior team, Duncan added: “It’s tough because the team’s going really good, we’ve got great depth at the minute, a lot of people are improving.

“So, I suppose for me, it’s just being ready if there was an opportunity that were to arise, whether that’s through unfortunate injuries or... I’m not 100 per cent sure what the coaching team are thinking, but it’s just about being ready, and that’s the space that I’m in now and have been all through the year, to be honest.

“It’s just about when I get my opportunity, or if I get my opportunity, I’m ready to go.”