West Coast midfielder Jack Redden admits his contract situation is a dicey one, but isn’t afraid of spending weeks in the WAFL next year if that’s what it comes to.
The 31-year-old has spent the last seven seasons at the Eagles after seeking a trade from Brisbane at the end of 2015.
Redden originally signed a three-year deal before extending for a further three seasons in 2018.
He penned a one-year deal last year, with 9 News Perth reporting earlier this month that Redden was nearing a trigger for a contract extension.
Despite not yet reaching it, the on-baller isn’t fazed by the idea of playing in the reserves next year.
“Definitely haven’t activated it yet (the trigger),” Redden told SEN WA Breakfast.
“I want to play next year, if I get enough games out of the way and sort of hit the trigger.
“But I think regardless of the trigger, if I stay healthy and stay fit there’s a spot there for me, might not be in the AFL every week, that’s the direction of the club where we’re going, verging on a rebuild so we want to get games into these youngsters.
“But if I can play a part in the leadership and sort of mentoring these young kids, I’ll put my hand up.”
Redden has played 16 of 17 games this year, making his contract situation all the more curious.
He made 18 appearances last year and played 12 of 17 games in the COVID-impacted 2021 season.
“It’s a couple of weeks probably away (the trigger),” Redden continued.
“But I haven’t played that the last four years. I don’t know how I’m doing, I’m hanging on by a thread, but I’ve managed to tick games over this year.”
Redden has averaged just shy of 22 disposals and four clearances a game in 2022.
Redden will play his 259th game on Sunday against St Kilda, his 130th for the Eagles and going past the 129 he played for Brisbane.