Richmond defender Bachar Houli is hoping to enter a 16th season next year as he and the Tigers are set to enter contract discussions for the 2022 season.
Houli, who has not featured for Damien Hardwick's side since Round 16 due to an ankle injury, believes his body will be able to withstand another campaign despite the latest setback.
The 33-year-old remains unsigned past this season, with Richmond yet to make a number of contract calls for premiership veterans beyond 2021.
Houli joins fellow defender David Astbury and fan favourite Shane Edwards in also being yet to recommit to Punt Road, with the Tigers also set to place some salary focus on young duo Callum Coleman-Jones and Mabior Chol.
Speaking after Friday night's loss to Greater Western Sydney, Hardwick said talks between the club and Houli will progress in a matter of time.
“From a list management point of view we’ll work our way through that,” Hardwick said.
“We don’t discuss those things in the media, so we’ll sit down with Bachar and figure out what that looks like moving forward.
"He's a very good player, been a fantastic player for us and we'll continue to work through with Bachar and his management what that looks like for next year."
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Houli's position in the Tigers' backline has come under threat in his absence, with premiership forward Daniel Rioli flourishing in a defensive role for Hardwick over the past several weeks.
Young defender Sydney Stack has also re-emerged onto the scene, having a career-best evening against Fremantle in Round 20.
While there will be an uphill battle for Houli to be lining up in the yellow and black come Round 1 next year, the former Bomber told Triple M he is ready to play on.
“Even when I got injured, I asked a question at the football club with those that make decisions with contracts," Houli said.
“I’m 100 per cent sure that I want to go on. I feel like my body, once it was up and going, it was going really well, I was covering the ground really well and I was playing consistent football.
“I’m not slowing down. I had an injury that wasn’t relevant to my calves, which is a bonus. I definitely want to go on.”
Richmond have recently locked away young star Shai Bolton to a new two-year deal, while wingman Kamdyn McIntosh is understood to have also inked a contract extension with the club.
The Tigers also announced young duo Hugo Ralphsmith and Will Martyn have signed deals to remain at Tigerland until the end of the 2023 and 2022 season respectively.
Richmond will be requiring a number of results this weekend and next round to go their way for any chance of finishing in the top eight.
The Tigers will face Hawthorn to end their 2021 home and away campaign next week.
