A decision on the future of Richmond free agent Liam Baker isn't expected to come until later into the year as the Tigers hard-nut looks to place his attention toward a career-best season.
The newly-appointed vice-captain is one of the leading names in the AFL still unsigned for 2025, with Baker joining teammates Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia, Toby Nankervis, Jack Graham and Dylan Grimes, among others, in being yet to settle their futures at Richmond.
A Western Australian product, Baker has garnered reported interest from clubs both near and far, adding further intrigue to the midfield-forward's decision-making.
While speculation is set to ensue, Baker is leaving all discussions over his future to his management and the club, with the two-time premiership Tiger looking to "hold up my end" of the bargain by having an impact on-field.
"My deal with my manager is that when we get stuck into the year I hold up my end trying to play some good footy and then he'll hold up his end in trying to work with the club later on in the year," Baker said.
"That's the plan at the moment. There's been new changes (at the club), so there's a lot of unknown for myself and the whole group really, so I won't really know too much more until later into the season or a few weeks down the track.
"I'm just thinking about trying to play some good footy and get a good start for the season, and then everything else comes."
Prestia has a different perspective on his hopes for the future, with the 31-year-old hoping he can sew up another extension at Punt Road in the near future.
Having last recommitted with Richmond ahead of the 2021 season on a three-year deal, the inside midfielder would prefer to repeat history and have his future settled before getting stuck into the new campaign.
"I'm out (of a contract) this year, so I'm just waiting to get a contract pretty much," Prestia said.
"I'm looking to hopefully get one (signed) once the season starts. We'll see where we're at and where I'm at. We'll be pretty realistic about all of that.
"But I'm hoping to get one and be done with it. I was able to sign my last contract in February or March (of 2021) and was able just to roll into the season. But I know it's pretty different from being a 28-year-old and a 31-year-old contract-wise, but hopefully I can get a nice one."
Both Prestia and Baker are set to head north in the coming days for Richmond's first game of the season - an Opening Round clash against the Gold Coast Suns at Heritage Bank Stadium on Saturday.
