Essendon Coach John Worsfold expects to know Jobe Watson’s intentions for next season within the next two weeks.
Nine of Watson’s teammates have reconfirmed their commitment to the Club throughout the course of the 2016 season.
Watson is the only player yet to declare their hand ahead of next month's free agency and trade period.
"Certainly within a fortnight we'd have to know for sure," Worsfold told RSN radio.
"But my guess is that it will be before that. The club has to keep moving and we need to base our decisions on what our list is going to look like.
"Jobe's a wonderful part of our list if he chooses to play on and a big part we've got to replace if he chooses not to."
Worsfold said Watson was weighing up several factors but had kept himself in excellent condition should he decide to play on.
"Jobe's ready to play on, if he chooses to. He's kept himself in great nick," Worsfold said.
"I've caught up with him, he's in a good space, he had a great time away. He's enjoyed the year for making the most of a bad situation, so he's had some experiences that he wouldn't have otherwise.
"But it's a lot to weigh up for him, he has to be absolutely 100 per cent sure that he's ready for what the game's going to challenge him on in this next period – this next year or two.
"There's various things he's been weighing up, but I think it won't be too long before he's absolutely clear and he'll let us know."
Worsfold said if Watson does play on he would form part of an ‘exciting’ midfield mix for the Bombers.
"I think if he chooses to continue his career it would be wonderful for the Essendon supporters and it would be wonderful for the game to see one of our champions back out there and finishing his career strongly," Worsfold said.
"I'd love to see him in a midfield now that will have Zach Merrett alongside him a lot more, Darcy Parish getting it moving alongside him and Dyson Heppell.
"It would be exciting."