Nick Dal Santo believes he can play on next year but says he hasn’t spoken to Collingwood

NICK Dal Santo insists he hasn’t yet spoken to Collingwood about extending his career at a third club but believes he can play on next year.

Nick Dal Santo wants to play on next year.

NICK Dal Santo insists he hasn’t yet spoken to Collingwood about extending his career at a third club, but says physically he is up for the challenge of playing on next year.

The 32-year-old said Saturday night’s 62-point loss to Adelaide was still very raw, as he, Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie and Michael Firrito played their last games in Kangaroos’ colours.

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He will now take some time to recharge the batteries, consider his options, and work out whether he wants to take on the mental challenge of playing on elsewhere in 2017.

“There are some (playing) options going forward, but what that looks like, I don’t really know,” Dal Santo said on Sunday.

Nick Dal Santo says he hasn’t spoke to Collingwood. Picture: Getty Images.

“All my energy was put in the game. I need to sit down and work through it now.

“I have heard the stories that Collingwood are interested. I don’t know what that looks like, I haven’t spoken to them. I don’t even know if they are keen on me, and that’s the honest truth.

“I know they have mentioned my name. It’s pretty early to be making judgment calls on that.”

Dal Santo said he still loved the game, and felt as if his form in 2016 warranted another season with the Kangaroos, but will now confer with family and friends about his future.

“I felt like I played solid enough footy, and mentally I wanted to go on,” he said.

“I feel good. I played (22) games this year and the way I feel today is still relatively good.”

“The mental side of it is obviously the challenge, when you put your heart and soul into 15 years of footy and think this is where it is going to finish (North Melbourne).

Nick Dal Santo played his final match for the Kangaroos on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images.

“ I need to take into account a few different things, more than I have in the past. It’s probably similar to when I was leaving the Saints, to be honest. There are people you respect and you take their words of wisdom, and then you make your own decision.”

He said he would stay in football regardless of whether he plays on or not, as he loves it.

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“I feel like I still want to get up and play at this stage, but I need some time to see what that means.

“We finished the game less than 24 hours ago, we are still disappointed with the way things finished up last night. I’m looking forward to some time off now and then we will assess it (playing on) from there.”