Bartel to take his time in deciding future

Geelong veteran Jimmy Bartel says he will take his time in making a decision on his playing future.

Bartel has triggered a clause in his contract for an extension into 2017, however, remains unsure if he will play on next season.

The 32-year-old said he will not rush into a decision following Geelong's 37-point preliminary final loss to Sydney last Friday night.

“I’m just taking my time really. I don’t think you should make a decision straight off the type of game we had Friday night because you have to make a clear decision and make it based on the whole year in its entirety,” he said on SEN radio on Thursday morning.

“I want to sit down with the coaches and other relevant people at the club and see where I would fit in and would I be a part of your plans, all those sorts of things and then you have also got to make up your mind whether you want to be running laps of the oval in late January when it’s 40 degrees.

“There’s a bit to think about but I’ll take my time over the next week or so to decide.”

There were several calls from prominent AFL media personalities for Bartel to be dropped following the qualifying final win over Hawthorn in week one of the finals, however, he retained his spot in the side.

The futures of veteran teammates Corey Enright and Tom Lonergan are also up in the air.