Collingwood premiership midfielder Tom Mitchell has tipped Scott Pendlebury to explore going to another club, whether that be this year or next.
Pendlebury's future has become a constant talking about, which was heightened following his latest injury, which is rare for the consistent Pie.
Gold Coast and Essendon are circling the 38-year-old, who has been earmarked for a coaching role in the future.
Mitchell predicted Pendlebury to play in 2027 despite the naysayers.
"I think he plays on, depends where he plays," Mitchell said on The Agenda Setters.
"He still has the capacity. If you watch his first quarter last week, before he got injured: two goal assists, eight possessions. You can see the bounce in his feet. If you see him play like that, clearly he has the capacity.
"I think Fly is spot on. If he is going to play, he wants to perform at a high level, and he still can. The way he plays, the decisions he makes, he still sets everyone up. I think he'll play on.
"He deserves one. If he wants to stay, he should. I think at some point he will explore going to another club. Whether he does it this year or next, it'll happen at some point."
Collingwood coach Craig McRae alluded to the "50-50" nature of Pendlebury's decision, which is still being worked through.
“These are decisions he's obviously weighing up with him and his management,” he said.
“It is a big story because he is a remarkable player for such a long time, but we will give him respect and the time that he's asked for.
“Having these conversations with Pendles for the last five years around what's best for him and best for us gives me great comfort that he'll do what is best for the footy club.
“He won't go on and play, in my eyes, unless he can perform at a certain level – so that gives you great confidence, ‘Hey, over to you mate, you make those decisions when you think they're appropriate'.
“(The decision) not entirely in his hands but is led by conversations with him."
