GEELONG coach Chris Scott is confident exciting midfielder Steven Motlop will stay with the Cats long-term despite the fact the 24-year-old remains unsigned beyond 2015.

Scott said he remains at arms-length from the contract negotiations but Motlop's actions were a positive indication that he enjoys playing with the Cats.

"What I can assess is what we see from players in terms of their commitment during the week, their attitude to training, the way they play, especially the way they defend and do some of the less flashy things out on the ground," Scott said.

"I can't really fault him too much. Every indication that I get is very positive that he loves playing here and he will play here long into the future."

Motlop has played well for the Cats in three of their past four games rebounding well from a poor performance against West Coast in round 10.

He kicked three goals to be the difference against the Western Bulldogs last week but also laid 11 tackles, an indication of his determination to balance his offensive and defensive game.

Scott said when Motlop gets the balance right he could be "a high-level player" and added his response since the Eagles game was a good sign for the future.

"That indicates to me that we have got a very driven and motivated individual," Scott said.

Motlop is just one of a number of Cats whose future at the club beyond this year remains uncertain. 

Scott remained tight-lipped about what might happen with a bunch of experienced players, who come out of contract at the end of the season, but said sentiment would play some part in the decision making process. 

"Sentiment … and respect for players that have given their heart and soul for out footy club and being instrumental in our success," Scott said.

He was confident the older Geelong players would not make decisions that restrict the opportunities of next generation at the club, so it was a matter of having ongoing discussions with players.  

"We certainly won't be making really cold business decisions to the detriment of the great individuals that have supported this club for a long time," Scott said. 

However he was not prepared to go into any detail about individuals.

"We've got a range of players we're having private discussions with at the moment and working things through so I would prefer they knew exactly where we were at before I told the whole world," Scott said.

Jimmy Bartel has indicated his desire to play on next year and has been in good form since his return from a knee injury, while defender Jared Rivers has said he is 90 per cent sure this will be his last year.

Corey Enright entered the year imagining it would be his last but has been told to keep an open mind, while question marks remain over regular senior players Andrew Mackie, James Kelly, Steve Johnson and Mathew Stokes.

With seven rounds remaining there is still plenty of football to be played. 

"The least we can do is sit down and assess their circumstances as individuals and make a reasoned assessment from there," Scott said.

"I understand that people want to know but I'm sure they would also respect that it would be the wrong thing to talk publicly about those private conversations."