Daly Cherry-Evans will make a call on his future based on what is best for the Sydney Roosters more than his own desire for a fairytale career finish.
The 37-year-old playmaker will also look within to determine whether playing beyond the age of 38 is what he wants to do, although he is still enjoying himself.
The veteran, a key man in the Roosters' surge into the top four, was profound when asked about whether he was conscious of not playing a year longer than he should.
"A few people have asked me that," Cherry-Evans said.
"What if you don't get the fairytale? What if you play on too long? But the reality is my career has already been a fairytale.
"For me as a young kid, all I ever wanted to do was play NRL, play for Australia and play for Queensland. I've been so lucky do that, more than I thought I ever would.
"So if people are expecting me to have a fairytale finish, I don't necessarily see it like that. I would love for it to finish very successfully, but the journey itself has been a fairytale."
Cherry-Evans has played 367 NRL games, winning the 2011 premiership with Manly. He also lined up in 26 State of Origin games for Queensland, captaining the side to series wins in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
Throw in 21 Tests for Australia and it has been some journey. With three months until the grand final, he is in no hurry to ink an extension or call time on his stellar career.
"The club and I will make sure we have good communication between each other, but it's not the right time to be making a call just yet, simple as that," he said.
His old Maroons and Kangaroos teammate Ben Hunt recently signed a one-year extension with Brisbane at the age of 36.
"I will tell you what, you can fall into a trap in this game of trying to compare and compete with other people but it's really important that the decision I make for my future is alongside what the club needs as well," Cherry-Evans said.
"I am really enjoying my time here so far and I'd be silly to look too far ahead. There's a good opportunity in front of us this year."
Cherry-Evans is in his first season with the Roosters after playing 352 games for Manly.
As the year has progressed he has grown into his No.6 role alongside halfback Sam Walker, which he has enjoyed, along with assisting the team move into a position to make a premiership push.
"At stages we have played some really good football, but you would have to say that we haven't reached our ceiling, which is a good thing," Cherry-Evans said.
"It's also the constant battle of trying to find improvement in this game.
"There's only one Sam Walker and that's the best part of playing alongside someone like Sam. He is so unique.
"I have so much time for the way he sees the game and the way he's a team-first player. I really admire the way he goes after a game of footy when the game is on the line."