Manly coach Trent Barrett admits off-contract skipper Jamie Lyon deserves to bow out on his terms and can take all the time he needs to decide whether to play on next NRL season.
The 34-year-old Lyon was earlier this week hopeful of extending his decorated career into an 18th season, even if it meant doing so at another club.
Barrett said he has already begun discussions with his captain on his playing future, but conceded it was up to the former representative player to choose to retire or not.
"We've had a few conversations leading up to this point," Barrett said.
"If Killer's playing well, the desire's still there to keep playing, and we can fit and work it all around, there'd certainly be no reason why he couldn't keep going.
"It's something we'll just monitor over the next couple of months. We have a pretty honest relationship and we'll just cross that bridge and tick it off each week.
"I think he deserves all the time he needs to work out whether he wants to go again and we'll be pretty honest with each other in how we go about it."
Ahead of Saturday's fixture against the Warriors in Auckland, the Sea Eagles currently sit in 13th spot with two wins and three losses.
Barrett admitted that he would need his ageing veteran to fire if they are to go deep into the NRL season.
"If we're going to be successful this year, he's a huge part of that," he said.
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