St George Illawarra veteran Jason Nightingale doesn't want his future to dominate the headlines, as the Dragons are shaping up for a tilt at the premiership.
The Dragons are in outright first following their win over Manly on Saturday evening, and the 31-year-old wants the club to focus solely on their on-field performances, and doesn't want his uncertain off-field future to disrupt their season.
"The decision is in my hands, and it's not something I want to rush into either way," Nightingale told smh.com.au.
"The club has been great about it. I'm having another kid soon, and it's about balancing out what's best for myself and my family – and also the club.
"All those things have been put on the table and the decision will fall back on me.
"As long as it doesn't become a drama ... the last thing I want is for my last year or second-last year to be about me. I think that's the challenge, to make sure it's not.
"Realistically if I go around another year, then good – as long as I'm doing the right thing by the team. If I don't go around another year then 'see ya later'. That's how footy works.
"Either way it's about what we're doing this year as a team and the position we've put ourselves in, not whether I go around for another year."
Nightingale is the Dragons' longest-serving player, and the 258-gamer is currently just 15 games behind all-time leader Ben Hornby - who he could overtake if he plays on.
Coach Paul McGregor recently switched Nightingale to the bench in the first positional change of the season, and the veteran forward is already enjoying his new role.
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