West Coast free agent Jayden Hunt has addressed his future ahead of a contract year, with the Eagles veteran putting a priority on his football to start the new season.
Hunt, whose three-year deal with the club expires at the conclusion of the coming campaign, will have a decision to make on his future in 2025, while the Eagles too will be weighing up the partnership.
The dashing defender has been a staple in the blue and gold since crossing from Melbourne at the end of 2022 as a free agent, with Hunt again eligible to exercise his rights on the open market this year.
Before a decision is made, Hunt is focussing on holding his spot in Andrew McQualter's side as competition for wing roles heats up.
Speaking to media on Wednesday, Hunt said he hopes contract talks are positive when all parties come to the table later this year, with football to come first.
"I definitely want to focus on my footy at the start of this season, then I can get into those talks after that," he said.
"I feel really good and am confident in my own game. The coaches have been pretty happy with me at the moment. It has only been pre-season so we'll see how we go in the real stuff.
"I'm hoping I can have a good start to the season then sort of start (contract) talks from there."
Hunt is hoping his 2025 season is one free of setbacks, with a toe concern keeping the former Demon under 100 per cent fitness for a large period of last year, while he also missed multiple matches due to the ailment.
The 29-year-old is now injury-free and eyeing another 20-game season, having broken that barrier in his past four seasons.
"It's such a little injury but I definitely rely on my speed, I don't think I'm too good without it," Hunt said of the toe injury.
"I could go at 90 per cent for most of the season, but I lost that top-end speed I rely on and build my game around.
"It was really frustrating because while I only missed two games there would have been 10 or so games where there wasn't much training during the week and I would just get up for game day.
"I'm injury-free at the moment and am feeling really good about my body. The toe issue is a thing of the past and hopefully I can keep as injury-free as I can."
Hunt and the Eagles are set to face Gold Coast in Round 1 for their opening game of the 2025 season.
