Former Sydney captain Jarrad McVeigh says he is happy with the state of his contract discussions, raising hopes he will play again for the Swans next year.
The sight of McVeigh, who lifted the premiership cup in 2012, playing for another club would be jarring for Swans fans but Fairfax Media understands that scenario is unlikely if the 32-year-old can maintain his strong form to the end of the season.
The veteran, who plays his 298th game this week, has not been offered a new deal but is in constant dialogue with coach John Longmire and Swans football manager Tom Harley over his playing future.
If McVeigh played on it would likely be at a significantly reduced salary, but money is not believed to be a sticking point.
McVeigh's form and fitness will be the key factors in whether he is given a 16th season with the Swans where he has been one of the club's best players since its relocation in 1982.
The end appeared nigh for the dual best and fairest after calf and hamstring injuries restricted him to just two games in the first half of the season but he has played a key role in the club's charge to the finals since his return in round 15.
McVeigh confirmed he wanted to play on in 2018.
"As I said all year, if my body is going well and I'm playing at a high level I want to keep playing," McVeigh said.
"That's as far as it goes for me. I'm comfortable with that at the moment. I've got a really strong relationship with everyone at the club and we all know where each other stands.
"I understand the game of AFL, it's a ruthless business. I've got to perform then there's got to be a spot for me also."
There have been reports linking McVeigh, who is keen to head into coaching, with cross town rival Greater Western Sydney in a playing coaching capacity though it's believed the Swans would be open to a similar role.
McVeigh, who made his coaching debut last year in the preseason as part of an initiative by the Swans' coaching staff to improve players' on-field communication, said it would be "too hard" to play and coach.
"If you're a player you have to be all in as a player and go 100 per cent at that," McVeigh said.
The Swans remain an outside hope of finishing in the top four but their destiny is no longer in their own hands. To seal a double chance, they would need to win by enough to overtake Port Adelaide on percentage and have Richmond lose their round 23 match with St Kilda.
They face the Blues, who defeated them in round six in one of the Swans' worst performances during the John Longmire era.
"They're a young team but playing some really good footy, it's going to be a good tune up for the finals," McVeigh said. "We've got to do a lot of things right this week to get the win."
