Daly Cherry-Evans says he has not yet considered his future beyond next year, with the Manly favourite on the verge of becoming a free agent for the first time in almost a decade.
Cherry-Evans will enter his eighth final series on Sunday against Canterbury, in pursuit of a second title at the Sea Eagles after his first as a rookie in 2011.
But big decisions lie ahead.
The Queensland State of Origin captain is off contract at the end of 2025, and able to be approached by rival clubs from November 1, 2024.
Locked into a "lifetime" eight-year deal at Manly in 2015 and then extended out in 2022, Cherry-Evans remains one of the highest paid halfbacks in the game.
The playmaker is yet to decide if he wants to go on beyond next year and while he will be 37 in February 2026, Manly's most-capped player in history is showing no signs of slowing up.
Andrew Johns is among those to claim Cherry-Evans could play until age 40 and break Cameron Smith's all-time NRL game's record.
And while it would seem inconceivable Cherry-Evans will finish his career elsewhere, the reality is he could attract big-money offers elsewhere if still unsigned on November 1.
The Dolphins in particular could loom as one option, given the club's halves stocks.
Cherry-Evans grew up in Redcliffe, but is now well established on the northern beaches with his children in school.
"It's something I haven't even stopped for a second to think about," Cherry-Evans told AAP when asked about his contract situation.
"As the captain and being a bit older, my priorities are leading with the actions and making sure our focus is where it needs to be. And that's finals footy.
"We're in an off-season in four weeks and it will all get sorted then. But at the moment I don't think there would be any rush to get anything done.
"If it all had to end next year for me I would be extremely grateful for the journey.
"I don't think it will all end next year, but it's just not something I have been worried about."
The situation also looms as a potentially tricky one for Manly, who must juggle planning for the future alongside Cherry-Evans' status as one of the game's premier No.7s.
Cherry-Evans' status means his approximate $1 million salary is far greater than most others his age and any decisions would likely need to be made well in advance for cap management.
The Sea Eagles this year opted against re-signing young halfback Jamie Humphreys, but have locked in teenage prodigy Joey Walsh.
"Manly have an obligation to keep the club first and if it's in their best interests to keep me then they will keep me," Cherry-Evans said.
"We'll cross that bridge if it even gets to it ... contracts work themselves out eventually, so I am not too worried about it."
