Cats champion Jimmy Bartel admits it will take both time and space away from football for him to come to a decision regarding his playing future.

The 32-year-old has trigged a clause in his current contract which ensures his position with Geelong for the 2017 season, but there are no guarantees as to what level he may play.

The triple premiership player is aware stints in the VFL may await him as the Cats look to rejuvenate the playing list, and Bartel says he will have further conversations with the club’s powerbrokers before making a call.

“I’m just taking my time, really,” Bartel told 1116 SEN on Thursday morning.

“I don’t think you should make a decision straight off the type of game we had on Friday night. You want to make a clear decision and make it based on the year in its entirety and then you want to look forward to the following year.

“I want to sit down with the coaches and the relevant people at the club and say ‘where would I fit in and would I be a part of your plans?’

“Then you also have to make up your mind. Do I want to be running laps of an oval in late January when it’s 40 degrees?

“There’s a bit to think about, which I’ll take my time over the next week or so to decide.”