South Sydney's NRL games record holder John Sutton is confident of playing a 15th first-grade season at the Rabbitohs and has received a strong endorsement from key forward Sam Burgess.
Five-eighth turned forward Sutton, 32, who has notched 278 NRL games since his debut in 2004, has yet to agree terms with Souths for next year.
If he plays the last four games of 2017 and most matches next year he will reach the magic 300 mark, something Burgess would dearly love to see.
While Sutton hasn't totally ruled out playing somewhere else next season, he wants to remain in the Rabbitohs burrow.
He didn't want to be drawn on what stage negotiations with Souths were at, but stressed he intended to play again next season.
Asked if he was confident of playing at Souths again in 2018, Sutton said he was "pretty confident."
"I've got nothing signed, I'm still working on that. I want to play here next year so hopefully we can get something sorted," he said.
"I love the club and I've been here my whole career, so I wouldn't want to play anywhere else.
"It would probably feel strange but hopefully I can get something sorted and I won't have to worry about it too much."
Sutton hasn't missed a first-grade game all season.
"I think I've been playing pretty good lately so just probably keep continue to keep playing good footy for the rest of the season," he said.
Star forward Burgess felt Sutton should be part of the Souths squad for next season.
"I'd love to see him get the opportunity to crack the 300 mark for a club with so much history without a player that's done it," Burgess said.
"I don't think anyone's going to get close for a long time.
"He's playing good football. He's great around the young boys.
"He's an integral part of the club and he lives and breathes South Sydney, so I'd love to see him here next year."
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