Geelong forward Daniel Menzel has accepted that he is likely to only receive one-year contracts for the remainder of his AFL career.
The 26-year old spent most of his career battling serious knee injuries and has only just started tying consistent footy together.
The South Australian was in and out of the Geelong side last year but after four rounds this season, he sits equal third in the Coleman Medal tally and appears to be an integral member of the Cats’ forward line.
Despite his solid start to the year, coach Chris Scott said he would never be a candidate for a long-term contract.
"I know it's a cliche but I can't look too far ahead. I started well last year and the body probably didn't go as well as I would've liked," Menzel told AFL.com.au.
"I'd like to just keep going and feeling as good as I am, and if that's the case we can notch together a few more wins and everything will take care of itself.
"I'm completely fine with where things are at. We're four games into the season and I'm just enjoying playing every week. That's my focus.
"Everyone externally can talk about it if they like, but for me it's just about being able to play every week that's so enjoyable."
Scott says he would like to have Menzel signed up on a long-term deal but the club can’t take the risk with his history of injuries.
"I feel for him, but he just can't expect that any club's going to commit to him for the long-term because there's so many doubts over his body," Scott said.
"None of them are his fault, it's just the unfortunate situation he's in. I'd love to have him committed until 2019."
Menzel signed a one-year contract with Geelong at the end of last year but he did explore the option of being traded to another club first.
"Everyone knows that it's a business so you've got to look at all options, but also you've got to look at the best option for you at the club as well," He said.
"Whether that is a year or two years or whatever it is, we certainly took our time and the club said the same thing as well.
"At the end of the day I was very happy with staying at the Cats, it feels like it's starting to pay off now."
After four knee reconstructions, Menzel returned to footy in late 2015 and has only missed 12 games since.
He says the reason for his strong start to the year was due to completing a full injury free preseason for the first time since he’s been at the club.
"It's probably my first full pre-season in seven years," he said.
"For me, to be able to do a full pre-season means that I come out and I train during the week and I actually feel good during the week and I'm able to play on the weekend, rather than limp through the week and hopefully get up for games."