John Worsfold will wait until later in the year before asking Essendon veteran James Kelly if he is keen to play on next season as the former Cat continues his excellent form for the Bombers.
Kelly was one of Essendon's best players in its 37-point win over Collingwood on Saturday, finishing with 32 disposals and seven tackles in an important role in the Bombers' back half.
The three-time Geelong premiership player retired in 2015 before returning to football as one of the Bombers' 'top-ups' last season to cover for their banned senior players.
He finished equal runner-up in the best and fairest last year and, although he has indicated it's unlikely he plays on in 2018, his form would suggest he is capable.
Worsfold said he's in no rush to gauge the 33-year-old's thoughts, but that it would be a topic discussed towards the end of the season.
"If he plays like that, then yes, [I'd like to see him play on]. But we've got a lot of footy to play out this year and the finish line is a long way away when you get that little bit older," Worsfold said after the Bombers' win, their seventh of the season.
"I'll have that conversation with him. I'm not urgent to find that out.
“It's not something that will play a massive part in terms of our list management, but out of respect I'll have the conversation with 'Kel' about how he's feeling because there's no use me thinking either way if he's made his mind up one way or the other."
The Bombers' backline was excellent against the faltering Magpies, mopping up untidy forward entries and keeping their most dangerous goalkicking options under wraps.
Worsfold said Kelly has had an important role in building the cohesion between the Bombers' backline group, including dependable back pocket Mark Baguley and young pair Conor McKenna and Andy McGrath.
"I thought [Kelly] was very good today. I thought a lot of the guys in the back half are working to build that understanding together and between McKenna, McGrath, Baguley and Kelly as those smaller defenders, they're starting to get a really good understanding of each other. 'Kel' moved really well today," he said.
The Bombers kept their finals hopes alive with the win, which came on the back of last week's dreadful defeat to the bottom-placed Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.
Worsfold said he didn't have any nervous moments as the Pies strung together three goals in the third term to cut Essendon's lead when it looked to be cruising to victory.
That patch came shortly after star midfielder Zach Merrett was knocked to the ground by an off-the-ball hit from opponent Levi Greenwood, which saw tempers flare as the Bombers rallied around their dazed best and fairest winner.
Merrett left the field and passed his concussion test to return and finish with 25 disposals and two goals, with Worsfold praising the 21-year-old for his efforts.
"I didn't see the actual strike at the time but I saw Zach Merrett go down really heavy and saw that it was off the ball.
“Our players, whether they saw it or saw Zach down and made assumptions [remonstrated], it's hard to say, but if it's off the ball and it's an illegal strike then we'll wait and let that run its course. Luckily Zach's pulled up pretty well," Worsfold said.
"He had an impact as soon as he came back on so it was a credit to him."
