Could Kade Simpson come out of retirement?

The retired Blues champion has revealed he is open to an AFL return in this year's mid-season draft.

The former defender called time on his career at the end of last year after 342 senior games - third all-time for the Blues - to go down as one of the club's greats.

However, speaking on the Dyl and Friends podcast, Simpson said he has been training, keeping in good shape and believes he still has something to offer.

"I still wish I was playing, like 100 per cent,” Simpson said.

“Even now, for some stupid reason, I still run and flog myself. In the back of my head I’m like, just imagine if someone … now with the mid-season draft and all that sort of stuff … I’m pretty fit still.

“If someone did come knocking, I’m ready."

SEE ALSO: Calls for Carlton to change theme song due to racist history

Asked directly if he would be open to putting the boots back on, Simpson responded: "Yeah I think I’d consider it.

“I wouldn’t play just for the sake of playing … (it would need to be) a team that’s going to be challenging, that are looking like they’re going to play finals.”

The 2013 best and fairest winner has never agreed with the notion of leaving the game with more to give.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Kade Simpson of the Blues in action during the 2018 AFL round15 match between the Carlton Blues and the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 30, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

SEE ALSO: Carlton confirm cruel ACL blow for defender Caleb Marchbank

“Everyone is like, ‘It’s good to retire with a little bit left in the tank’ and I think … ‘What?’ That makes no sense to me, I want to run that thing dry. That’s like dying with money in the bank.

“Even with the way the game is played as well, this year is very different to last year which would again suit me as well.

“I wouldn’t play just for the sake of playing … (it would need to be) a team that’s going to be challenging, that are looking like they’re going to play finals.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 21: Kade Simpson of the Blues spoils the ball during the round five AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 21, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Simpson also confirmed that it was the club's decision to move him on, but understood with the off-season additions of Adam Saad and Zac Williams.

“If they knew they were getting (Adam) Saad and (Zac) Williams, I would’ve given me the arse too,” he said.

“I’ll always be a Carlton person, whether I came out of retirement or coached somewhere else, but I still feel like I’ve got something left.

“I still have the desire to compete and that hasn’t gone away.”

LISTEN TO THE FULL CHAT WITH DYLAN BUCKLEY BELOW